By Colin Thompson

Sailing Correspondent

Chase Cooper has long harboured a dream of being involved in the America’s Cup.

With Bermuda hosting the sailing spectacle in 2017, that dream could very well become reality for the promising local sailor, who attends Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts.

“Not only is it one of the largest sporting events around,” Cooper said. “but also it is an event that I have grown up watching and aspiring to be part of.

“I’ve never been more proud to be a Bermudian than when I found out that our beautiful and capable Island would be hosting the America’s Cup. Now I just might have that chance.”

Along with compatriot, Benn Smith, Cooper had the chance to witness the AC72 and AC45 catamarans in action in the lead up to the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco Bay. And what a wonderful experience it turned out to be for the two young sailors.

“When I was sailing in the Optimist class I had the chance to fly to San Francisco and compete in a regatta,” said Cooper, whose father Somers is a past Royal Bermuda Yacht Club commodore. “I was especially ecstatic to be sailing on the same waters as three AC72s.

“It was one of the most distracting elements of San Francisco Bay, staring in awe of how a sailboat could reach such dramatic speeds.”

The wing sail foiling catamarans used in the America’s Cup are capable of sailing faster than the actual wind speed.

“If they look fast on TV the AC72s are ten times faster as the teams roared by you,” Cooper added.

“Getting close enough to hear them talking and to exchange greetings.”

Whilst in San Francisco, Cooper and Smith got the rare opportunity to tour Oracle Team USA’s base.

“After the third day of racing Ben and myself were given a tour of the Oracle Base by Shannon Falcone, grinder on board Oracle’s AC72,” Cooper recalled. “The first thing you spot is the enormous wing sail and the multiple catamaran boats.”

The pair also got the chance to see Oracle skipper and CEO Jimmy Spithill and Sir Russell Coutts as well Olympic great Sir Ben Ainslie during the tour.

“We walked by a meeting room and inside were the best sailors in the world; Jimmy Spithill, Russell Coutts and Ben Ainslie,” Cooper said. “Again, I was in shock, the amount of different departments that all worked toward one goal — winning the oldest trophy in international sport.

“It is an experience that I will never forget and hope that I might be a team member in the future.”