Sam Stan was the best of the pack as Team Bermuda began the five-day IODA North American Optimist Championships over the weekend with six races three on Friday and another three on Saturday.The event, commonly known as “Optinam”, is being hosted by the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club in San Pedro, California just south of Los Angeles.National champion Stan finished the opening day in 22nd place in the 187-strong fleet after scoring a 24, 2,14 in the three races. But on Saturday he dropped to 50th after finishes of 33, 12 and 37.Michael Barit who was in 50th place after Friday’s racing, improving in each race with a 31, 20 and 9. However, he dropped to 66th on Saturday, placing 20th, 45th and 20th.Rory Caslin made a big jump on Saturday, moving from 120th to 90th.He had placed 22nd and 29th as well as a DNF, which he will be allowed to drop, and came back strongly on Saturday with a 29th, 12th and 24th.Chase Cooper was struggling in the windy conditions and was unable to finish the last race on Friday while scoring a 55 and 58 in the first two.On Saturday, he had two 58s and a 56th and is 179th overall.Another three races were scheduled yesterdayThe sailors have seen the wind build to 18 knots, sometimes as high as 20 knots from the west which is common in San Pedro waters when the morning starts out clear.The leader of the regatta is Peter Janezic from Slovenia followed by Argentina’s Felipe Diniz and with Russell Clarida of the US in third.Some 187 sailors from 21 different countries are competing.The Bermuda team are coached by Zizi Staniul and are accompanied by country representative Sue Stan and Team Leader Somers Cooper.The boys spent four days training prior to the start of the event.