Local youth Sunfish sailors Mackenzie Cooper (16) and Benn Smith (12) represented Bermuda at the 2011 Sunfish Youth North American Championships, hosted by the Barrington Yacht Club in Bartrington, Rhode IslandI on July 20 and 21. In the youth competition consisting of 15 boats, skippers must be under 19.The fleet experienced some strong winds on day 1 of the regatta and moderate breeze on the second day. After seven races Cooper finished second overall with a 2,2,2,2,8,1 and was able to drop a Did Not Finish in race six which was due to gear failure. Benn Smith, son of former World and North American Champion Malcolm Smith did very well (6,12, 9,12,13,10,12) sailing against a much older field, finishing in 11th place overall. Smith is no stranger to heavy winds after winning the Comet Long Distance race last month crewing for skipper Rockal Evans in “survival conditions”.The youth event is held just before the open Sunfish North Americans which began yesterday and finished on Sunday. Cooper will join the older Smith in that event.Results at http://barringtonyc.com/files/2010/05/sunfish_na_youth_final.pdf