Cooper wins optimist trials

Chase Cooper provided a statement of intent ahead of the Optimist North American Championships after winning the Bermuda trials on Sunday.

Cooper produced a superb string of results — including three wins from eight races —  over the final weekend to move up from second and clinch victory.

There was some heated family rivalry close behind him as Ceci Wollmann held off brother Mikey by three points to claim second.

Campbell Patton, George Buckley and Benn Smith were fourth, fifth and six respectively. The top 20 sailors have now been issued with invites to the under-16 championship, which Bermuda will host from July 3, and parents have a week to decide whether to accept on their child’s behalf.

A total of 180 young sailors will compete in the event, the highlight of the optimist calendar. And Somers Cooper, BODA Board Member responsible for PR, said it was a great opportunity for local sailors to shine.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “The fact that’s it’s on their own waters makes it more exciting and they definitely have an advantage – hopefully they can utilize that. They are out on the waters almost weekly so that should be a benefit.”

The Optimist North American Championship is being sponsored by Colonial, Department of Tourism, Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Department of Youth & Sport, Tokio Millennium, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Corporation of Hamilton, ACE, XL Foundation.

More on the trials and upcoming championship in Wednesday’s Bermuda Sun.