By David A. F. Sweet With a victory in the Midwest Scholastic Sailing Nationals Qualifier for the Cressy Trophy that it hosted Sept. 16-17, Lake Forest Sailing is headed to New Orleans in October to compete in the Nationals. Out of 54 competitors from across the Midwest, Lake Forest High School and Lake Forest Academy featured 10 sailors. Lake Forest Sailing swept the boys International Laser Class Association (ILCA) 6 and ILCA 7 qualifying spots.
Owen Kohut (left), Alec Ranker and Jackson Schwartz gather with their plaques captured during the Midwest Scholastic Sailing Nationals Qualifier for the Cressy Trophy. Owen Kohut (Lake Forest High School 2025) won the ILCA 6 with first-place finishes in each of the seven races, Alec Ranker (LFHS 2024) finished second. Tristan McDonald (LFHS 2024) won the ILCA 7 fleet, and teammate Charlie Gish (LFHS 2024) finished second. Rounding out the podium in those fleets were Jackson Schwartz (LFHS 2025) in the ILCA 6 and Matthew Sexton (Lake Forest Academy 2024) in the ILCA 7.
The Cressy Trophy will be held at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, Oct. 27-29. It is for Singlehanded Racing, using the ILCA Dinghy (formerly known as the Laser Dinghy). “The regatta was great, and I am happy with my result, but the job is not yet done,” Kohut said.