Mackenzie Cooper will lead Team BDA into battle at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in the Great Sound.

The Bermuda Youth America’s Cup entry announced yesterday that the son of Somers Cooper, the former Royal Bermuda Yacht Club commodore and Bermuda Sailing Association president, has been chosen as the team’s skipper.

“It’s a dream come true and a huge honour,” Cooper said. “We’re the home team, so I also feel a great sense of responsibility. But the team is great, we’re forming a strong bond, and really looking forward to representing Bermuda.

“This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done. Hands down the best experience of my life so far.”

The 22-year-old won a bronze medal competing for St Mary’s College at last summer’s Intercollegiate Sailing Association Team Race National Championship in San Diego and last week competed as a bowman on-board a J-70 helmed by local skipper Alec Cutler at the Quantum Key West Race Week in Florida.

Richard Clarke, the Team BDA head coach, said that Cooper has demonstrated good leadership qualities in training.

“We’ve been working with the team for over a year now so we’ve gotten a very clear picture of the skills and qualities each member brings to the team,” he said.

“Mackenzie has consistently shown a really strong command of the team and the boat. I think if you were looking at the definition of a skipper or team leader then Mackenzie demonstrates those skills.”

Clarke noted that being named as skipper does not guarantee that Cooper will be the helmsman, adding that the positions will not be finalised until May. Cooper beat out Bermuda Youth Olympic sailor Owen Siese for the skipper’s role.

“It was very close between Mackenzie and Owen for the skipper position,” Michael Barnes, the Team BDA foiling coach, said. “They each bring different qualities to the team, so putting them in the roles we have will allow them to complement each other really well.”

Siese, who was named as team manager, said he is looking forward to working with Cooper.

“I’m looking forward to working with Mackenzie to lead the team,” he said. “My job, in addition to sailing, is making sure we get everything done that needs to be done. I’ve got to be always looking ahead and keeping things moving.”

Team BDA also announced Peter Dill as team captain responsible for ensuring the team’s AC45F foiling catamaran is up to par.

“I need to learn the AC45 inside out so it’s ready to race every day,” said Dill, who has worked as an intern on Oracle Team USA’s shore team. “It will involve some delegation so that the whole team is incorporated in the process.”

Team Bermuda’s 11-member squad are training full-time in preparation for the Youth America’s Cup in June, six of whom will compete on the boat during the regatta.