Port City Daily highlights young athletes competing in a variety of sports to help showcase the talented youth across the Wilmington area. Each week, one youngster will be introduced to the local community for his or her efforts on and off the field, including some of his or her favorite things to do outside of sports and a list of what makes them who they are.
While the water off the coast of southeastern North Carolina is typically filled with surfers’ year around, 16-year Chase Carraway is making a name for himself in the world of sailing.
The junior at Cape Fear Academy is a laser radial sailor and on the U.S. Olympic Development sailing team. The laser radial is a single-handed boat manned by one person.
Carraway is a member of the Lauderdale Yacht Club sailing team and represents the Carolina Yacht Club at Wrightsville Beach. He’s participated in regatta all over the country, with his most recent competition sailing in the 71st Annual International Youth Orange Bowl Regatta at the US Sailing Center in Miami, Florida, over Christmas break.
The event was the largest international youth series of boat races in the nation. He competed in the laser radial fleet with nearly 90 other boats, including competitors from all over the United States and many different countries. After two days of racing, Carraway qualified for the Gold Championship fleet. Ten races were sailed over four days on beautiful Biscayne Bay. Carraway had four bullets (first place finishes), all top six finishes and ended the regatta in second place overall, just one point away from first-place.
His most favorite moment from his days on the water came during the holidays when he soared from behind 22 other boats during the last leg of the race to capture first place. Olympic Gold Medalist Tom Slingsby is Carraway’s favorite athlete.
With three nicknames it’s hard to figure out which one Chase likes most, but the “Chaser” also enjoys watching college hoops and “Shark Tank.” Maybe one day we’ll see this bright mind who likes crunching numbers in math class make a pitch to the sharks.
Name: Chase Carraway
Age: 16
School: Cape Fear Academy
Nickname: “Legend” and “2K” and “Chaser”
Sports played: Sailing
Favorite coach and why? My favorite coach is Chris Dold. He has helped me in more ways than I can express. He is an extremely intense coach who pushes me all the time and helps perfect every part of the sport. Chris has been the biggest impact on my sailing career and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
Favorite athlete: Tom Slingsby
Favorite sports team: Duke
Favorite sport to watch other than the one you play: College Basketball
Most memorable experience on the field/court: In my last race of the 2016 Orange Bowl regatta, I came back from 22 and passed everyone on the last leg of the course to win the race.
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite school subject: Math
Favorite teacher: Cody Adams
Favorite TV show: Shark Tank
Favorite thing you like to do outside of sports: Go fishing with friends and relax.
