A Chat with Rohini Rau

Q: When did you pick up sailing?

A: I live in Chennai, and I sail at the Royal Madras Yacht Club. It was here where I first got into a boat at the age of 1. I got interested in sailing after I took part in a summer camp at the age of 10 organized by my mother Aysha Rau and Mr Navaz Currimbhoy (present Commodore of RMYC). I started sailing competitively at the age of 11 in a boat called the optimist (under 15). I loved the kind of Independence it gave me, to sail my own boat in the middle of the sea, make my own decisions. I love the water, and the thrill for speed, sailing being an adventure sport, I fell in love with it. I then graduated into the 420 and the Laser Radial class. The 420 is a double hander, trapeze boat. It was in this boat, my partner Pallavi Naik (Goa) and I won India’s first international gold medal for India in women’s sailing.

The 11th Asian Sailing Championship (2004) Gold was also the first international gold medal for Tamil Nadu. I then chose to sail the Laser Radial and work towards the Olympics, as was chosen to be women’s single hander class at the
Olympics. I became the first women to get an ISAF World Ranking after taking part in the ISAF World Sailing Championship 2007 in Portugal.

Q: Do you have a family background in sailing? How supportive are they?
A: My brother Ajay Rau is also an ardent sailor, He is also campaigning towards the 2012 London Olympics in the Laser standardclass (single hander for men) My father U. Jayraj Rau is not much of a swimmer, so he didnt take to sailing that well. But he was the Commodore of the Royal Madras Yacht Club for 2 years(2004 - 2006). I have had a lot of support from my parents, especially since my brother also sails, my grandmother Mrs Supriya Cheriyan has helped with funds, even though she is quite nervous every time I go sailing.

Q: You are also a medical student - how do you manage to juggle two hectic lifestlyes?
A: I get asked this question by most people, but it is not as hard as it sounds. I think if you are really passionate about something, you will do anything to make it happen... you will find time and make it happen. Time management is definetely very important. I guess when my mind is tired from studying, I take a break and go sailing and vice versa. I have lost a year and a half of my MBBS course, as I have taken time off to take part in various sailing competitions. I have no regrets, as I want to show India, that it is possible to pursue a proffesional course and compete in sports at an international level.

Q: What's your most memorable achievement till date?
A: There are many first to my name in sailing - the first woman to have an ISAF World ranking in the Laser Radial, the first woman to win an international bronze medal in an Olympic class, first woman to take part in 2 World Championships in the Laser Radial... but I think my most memorable achievement was recieving an award from the Late Sunil Dutt, Sports minister at Delhi in 2005.

Q: How open are brands in coming forward to support your sailing programs? Do you have any professional company managing you?
A: I am currently not endorsing any brands, would love to. But as sailing is not a popular or spectator friendly sport, this can be difficult. I am being supported by the SDAT and SAI. But most of it comes out of our own pockets. We need more corporates to get interested in this sport. I would love to endorse any brand that is interested in the sport, it is a fast growing sport in India. The few corporates who have helped are AMM foundation and Ramco cements.

Sailing is a very expensive sport, The Laser, which is the cheapest Olympic class costs about 3.5 lakh rupees, and the sail is Rs 35,000 that has to be changed every 4 months. I want to be the first Indian Woman to participate in sailing at the Olympics, I hope I will be able to continue to realize this dream

Q: Besides sailing - what sports do you play? And which do you watch?
A: I love most sports, especially adventure sports... Last year I had taken a couple of kite surfing lessons in Melbourne,Australia. I was really kicked about the sport so I actually bought a board and kite back home with me. Otherwise at school I was into athletics (100,200mts), volley ball, kho - kno, swimming and throw ball. I like watching tennis, gymnastics and figure skating on television.

Q: Tell us more about your personal life - what do you do in your past time?
A: love dancing, I learnt bharatnayam for 10 years, jazz ballet and tap dancing. But I enjoy the latin american styles of dance as well. So when I do have time I go for workshops or classes. Otherwise I catch up with friends for movies, once in a while...

But sometimes I feel like spending alone time, just unwinding, basically doing nothing. Its a great form of relaxation between running up and down to college and training.

Q: What is the next big achievement that you're training for?
A: The next big events coming up are the European Championships in Demark this July and the World Championship in Karatsu, Japan in August 2009. I will be competing in the Laser Radial class, and will be racing against my brother for the first time so I am very excited.

Quick ones
French Fries : No
Formula1 : Yes
iSport : Yes
Chennai or Mumbai : Chennai
Boyfriend : One