There are various sports that CdM athletes participate in. From football to track, athletes excel in whatever sport they do. But besides the traditional sports that take place on fields and indoor courts, there is sailing: the sport where it’s just two teammates, a boat, and the open water. Although the CdM sailing team is filled with many talented athletes, there is one team member that exhibits hard work and commitment more than most: senior Mackenzi Burke.

Burke began her sailing career at the early age of seven and went on to join the sailing team her freshmen year. Since then she has worked her way up to being one of CdM’s top crews. She also helped her team become the third best fleet racing team in the country when her team won third place at fleet racing nationals.

Most students understand the dynamics of how sports such as volleyball and baseball work. Sailing, however, has a somewhat complicated process. While most sports have games and matches, sailing has regattas where the team races against other high school sailing teams.

“There are four important regattas in high school sailing which include the Pacific Coast Championships, the Mallory, Baker Elims, and the Baker,” said Burke who kindly explained how sailing works in simple terms.

High school sailing regattas are held at least once a month on the weekends. There are two levels, Gold and Silver. In the two levels there are an A fleet and a B fleet. In a regatta, the A fleet and B fleet scores are added together for the teams final score.

Besides the challenge and fun that come from sailing, there is also another aspect that comes from spending long hours with other sailors at weekend regattas.

“I love the friends that you make and the people that you meet through sailing,” said Burke. After almost four years of high school sailing, Burke has met a bunch of kids from different schools around the country that all share a common love for sailing.

Sailing has always been a big part of Burke’s life. But next year when Burke attends college, sailing is not going to be as prominent.

“I did want to sail in college but I have a stronger dream of being an interior designer and I had to choose when I was deciding what colleges I wanted to apply to,” said Burke. Although we won’t be seeing Burke sailing on a college team come fall, her talent and love for the sport will not be forgotten.

After placing fourth in their last regatta, CdM’s sailing team is confident in securing a well deserved win in their next regatta.

The next sailing regatta, Cardinal, will be held in San Francisco. “I think we’re gonna dominate, we did last year, and we’ll do it again,” said sophomore Michael Madigan.

Their latest regatta was the Rosebowl, held in Long Beach and ran by the University of Southern California. “Because the regatta had both college and high school sailors, it made it better. You could see how good the college sailors were,” said Madigan.

The sailing team consists of a dedicated crew that practices hard and works diligently to keep up the spirit of comradery. Students who take up this sport enjoy its originality. “It’s fun and different from most sports in high school. Mental and physical skill are both key in this sport,” said sophomore Cody Reddin.

The future of CdM sailing looks like a promising one. “We’ll be number one in nationals — no joke,” says junior Shane Corwin.

“We definitely have a stronger team this year,” says Madigan.

They have done well this year so far, and the team is certain of a triumphant end to their season. They owe their success to all the work they have put into this, and their relentless drive.

“We’re successful because of how much we put into our practices and regattas,” says Madigan.

“We do well, because we want to be there,” says Corwin.