June 12, 2013 at 2:11 p.m.
Chase is on for North American glory
Cooper produced a superb series of results in shifty wind — 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 in the under-16 event.
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 continental championship in Hamilton from July 3, and parents have a week to decide whether to accept on their child’s behalf.
Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association president Anthony Bailey told the Bermuda Sun: “From the start of the North American trials the sailing was very competitive with sailors falling in and out of the top-20 spots.
“One example of a sailor who made a big move was young Tre Maxwell, who going into the last weekend of racing, was outside the top 20 qualifying spots but managed to string together a solid weekend of racing and ended up 17th.
He added: “The eventual winner was the one sailor who was consistent throughout the trials, Chase Cooper.
“Chase sailed well and set a good example for young junior sailors by demonstrating that you do not have to win every race to be a champion — you just have to be consistent in your placement and remain focused.
“I would like to thank PRO Charles Tatum and his team for running the trials.”
Excitement is now building towards the championship here in Bermuda, which will be one of the biggest sailing regattas ever hosted on local waters.
A total of 180 young sailors from 20 countries will compete – including some from as far afield as Singapore and New Zealand because of the number of spots available.
Olympian Jesse Kirkland’s win in the event 11 years ago sparked huge interest in the sport on the island and Somers Cooper, BODA Board Member responsible for PR, said it was a great opportunity for local sailors to shine.
He said: “The fact that (Optimist North American Championship) it’s on their own water makes it more exciting and they definitely have an advantage – hopefully they can utilize that.”
He added that, as well as Chase, who came 10th in the last North American Championship, Bermuda can boast a number of genuine contenders.
He said: “Ceci and Mikey can win on any given day and will be right there, Campbell Patton as well, Benn Smith is our national champion and he has as good a chance as any.
“It’ll be a festival atmosphere and will be a really good spectacle.”
The event will see a team race day sandwiched between four days of intense sailing.
There will be a welcome ceremony at Par-la-Ville Park, with prize giving set for the Fairmont Hamilton.
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, Corporation of Hamilton, ACE, XL Foundation.
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