FRIDAY, MAY 25: Mackenzie Cooper helped his US high school advance to the American national championships last weekend.
He was one of three Bermudian sailors representing their respective high schools at the New England Schools Sailing Association (NESSA) Team Race Championship at Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut.
Connor Astwood (Hotchkiss School), Cooper (Tabor Academy) and Alistair Hutchings (Milton Academy), all former Bermuda Optimist sailors, battled each other on the Thames River in FJ dinghies.
Tabor finished on top after Saturday’s double round robin with a record of 13 -1 with St. Georges School in a close second at 11 - 3. Next was Hotchkiss at 10 - 4 and Milton at 7 - 7.
Bermudians
The top four teams earned the right to return for the Medal Round on Sunday, which included all the Bermudians.
Lighter winds prevailed on the second day but there were no major upsets on the water resulting in Tabor clinching the title (15 - 2), followed by St Georges (14 - 3), Hotchkiss (11 - 6) and Milton (11 - 6).
Champions
Tabor and St George’s performance in the regatta earned them each a berth at the US High School National Championships next weekend, which will be sailed at MIT on the Charles River in Boston.
The Tabor Academy “Seawolves” are currently the defending U.S. National Team Race Champions.