His arena is that of the great ocean expanse. The chosen weapon for its conquest, the ruggedly dependable optimist pram.

Yes, sailing is Carvelho's game and thus far he has painted himself as a possible future contender for the title of Bermuda's best.

Not even a severe case of the often debilitating disease scoliosis -- an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine -- has been able to hinder the progress of the Somerset teenager, who counts the likes of Bermuda's top racer and one of the junior coaches at Sandys Boat Club, Peter Bromby, among his mentors.

Unlike many who venture into the sport, Carvelho was not pushed into sailing by his family, joining only after hearing from a friend how fun a time he had had during a summer clinic a few years ago.

The youngster immediately took a liking to the idea of guiding the wind-propelled craft and with solid training habits and direction has manoeuvred himself into one of Bermuda's best young sailors.

"My friend Travis took me out in his Optimist one day and then another year my friends went and I didn't, so I made sure I went the next year and liked it,'' said Carvelho, taking a break from his studies at Mount Saint Agnes.

"The thing I like is competition, competing in the races.

"I just put my mind to it (improving), practice, learn from my mistakes and then just go out and try to beat them.'' His intense commitment and desire to train for his own betterment was no more illuminated than at the recently completed six-race-series sponsored by Sandys Boat Club, where Carvelho was in irrepressible form throughout, winning five races and placing second in the other.

He was thus awarded the Half Pint Trophy as the best overall sailor, beating his nearest competitor by more than 40 points, his 193/4 points far outstripping second place O'Neal Lindsay's 631 . At the National Championships pitting all of the Island's sailing groups Carvelho was third in his age group to Andrew Henderson.

Additionally, the aspiring talent is due to take part in the CORK Regatta in Canada next August as a result of his triumph.

Last year saw him similarly earn an overseas trip, that to the Orange Bowl Regatta in Florida, where the local placed a creditable 10th overall out of 40 participants, with a best placing of second.

Despite the personal commitment by Carvelho, a lot of credit for his accomplishment must go to the club's coaching staff which continues to make a success of its grass roots programme.

His mother Betty Henderson, Martin Siese, Bromby, Paul Fisher and Michael Butterfield were all depicted in glowing terms as being the key to the youngster's progress.

"They encourage me a lot all the time and are helping me to get better in my sailing,'' said Carvelho. "They tell me all about the different techniques and how to sail on the different legs and advise me on all the aspects, whether it's going upwind, downwind or reaching.'' Understandably Henderson is extremely proud of her off-spring and pledged to continue aiding in his goal to become the best in Bermuda and even beyond.

"I hope he sticks through it, I'll be there to help him in any way and support him as far as he chooses to go,'' said the proud mother.

Carvelho expressed a desire to act as an sailing instructor next summer, so that he can be that much closer to the water. And he stated a goal of winning next year's National Championships.

However, Carvelho is not totally consumed by sailing, as he also intimated a like for other, more popular items such as soccer, volleyball and basketball.

Yet he believes his calling to be on the water and although there remains a long journey ahead, many -- at least at the west end -- would agree...a star is born! RISING STAR -- Young sailing sensation Aaron Carvelho displays his wares after taking the lion's share of honours in the Sandys Boat Club's Junior Optimist series.