Shepherd Championship

Last weekend, the Community Sailing School (CSS) sent four teams to the Midwest Shepherd Championship Regatta, where they grew as sailors and competed against some of the strongest high school programs across the Midwest. The event served as both a high-level challenge and a valuable development opportunity for many of CSS’s travel team members.

Troy High School expanded their competitive experience as a new group of travel sailors faced their toughest regatta yet. Led by senior captain Maya, the team of Oliver, Tabitha, Iris, and Rithwik placed 11th overall, highlighted by Oliver and Tabitha’s impressive 2nd-place finish in Race 3.

Detroit Country Day (DCD) spent the weekend training and strengthening their emerging travel team. Senior captains Krish and Ashwin guided Jasper, Alex, Shiv, and James through a series of challenging races, gaining valuable experience and building momentum for the future.

University of Detroit Mercy (U of D Mercy) performed exceptionally well, finishing 3rd overall in the championship. Senior captains Quinn and Charlie, along with Corrina and Angus, delivered consistent, disciplined racing that kept them near the top of the fleet throughout the weekend.

The highlight of the event came from Birmingham Public Schools, where captains Ryan and Sydney led their team to victory, bringing home the Shepherd Championship title. They were joined by Luc, who skippered nearly every race, and Klara, who crewed for both Ryan and Luc throughout the event. Elsa and Alexandra also sailed together in the final race, securing a strong finish to cap off the championship weekend.

CSS is incredibly proud not only of Birmingham’s championship win but also of the hard work, dedication, and perseverance shown by all teams. As senior sailors prepare to graduate, they leave behind a legacy of leadership and mentorship, ensuring their programs remain strong for the next generation of CSS athletes.