Sandy’s Boat Club (SBC) are forging ahead with their first-ever international event the 2011 Bermuda Open and National Championships despite the wet and windy ready sweeping the Island.A total of 78 young sailors will be based at the West End club for three days starting tomorrow.Last year’s Bermuda national champion Sam Stan will not be defending his title this year, opening the door for Antonio Bailey, Rory Caslin, Chase Cooper, Makai Joell or Ceci Wollmann to lift the trophy.Regatta chairman Martin Siese said: “We expect to have some challenges with the weather on Friday but overall the weekend should provide us with great sailing conditions” said Siese.“The effects of Tropical Storm Sean could see us experiencing southerly winds in excess of 30 knots which if correct, may force us to postpone Friday morning’s racing until calmer conditions prevail.”The SBC regatta committee has already changed the location of the novice Green Fleet course to Hamilton Harbour to allow for a more protected setting.The Championship fleet is scheduled to race in the Great Sound.A total of 38 sailors from the USA, Canada and Europe will be joining the local sailors creating a record fleet of 78 competitors.Sponsors for this year’s event include Bermuda Container Line, Bermuda Department of Tourism, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Salt Rock Grill and McLaughlin Boat Works.For more information visit the SBC website at http://www.sandysboatclub.com or the event blog at http://2011BermudaOpen.blogspot.com.