Mackenzie Cooper could follow in the wake of St Mary’s College team-mates Jake LaDow and John Wallace.

LaDow and Wallace competed with USA 45 in the inaugural Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in 2013, and if all goes according to plan, Cooper may also get the opportunity to compete at that level in 2017.

Sir Russell Coutts, the America’s Cup Event Authority and Oracle Team USA CEO, confirmed this week that there is a possibility that Bermuda could be represented in the next Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

“I am very excited to hear that there is interest in putting together a Bermuda team,” Cooper said. “I have two team-mates [LaDow and Wallace] here on my sailing team who took part in the last Youth America’s Cup and they say it’s one of the best sailing experiences they’ve had. Sailing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is something I would really like to do; being able to compete against really high competition.”

Coutts said that he would “love to see a Bermuda team in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup”. He added that the Bermuda team would be provided “some coaching and access to Oracle Team USA training boats and sailors so they have an opportunity to learn and gain the skills they need”.

Coutts said: “It should definitely be possible to train up young sailors on the Island and put together a competitive team.”

In the inaugural Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, participants competed in conventional one design wing-sail 45ft catamarans.

Since then, however, the boats have been modified to foil like the larger America’s Cup Class catamarans.

Cooper acknowledges that making the transition from conventional sailing to flying above the water on hydrofoils is no easy feat. But he is confident that Bermuda’s sailors can be equal to the task.

“They [AC45] look really tough to sail being so fast,” he said. “But having the Oracle guys showing us the way will be really helpful. They are the best there is right now so there’s nobody you would rather get taught by.”