Eleven of Bermuda?s top junior sailors are heading off to Colombia today to compete in the South American Optimist Championships.

The youngsters, aged between 12 and 15, will face a top fleet made up of 180 sailors from 16 countries when the regatta gets underway in Cartagena De Indias tomorrow and continues until April 16.

The local team were selected by Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association (BODA) following trials that were held throughout December and January.

Included are Jason Saints, Jordan Saints, James Anfossi, Martin Finegan, Joshua Greenslade, Renee Greenslade, Lance Fraser, Haley Powell, Blake Burgess, Kyle Burgess and Brian Bulhoes. They?ll be accompanied by three officials, team leader John Greenslade, country representative Sally Burgess and national coach Pablo Weber.

The South American Championship is regarded as the world?s second most competitive sailing event in the Optimist class, behind only the Worlds that will be held in Uruguay later this year.

Eddie Saints, president of BODA, said in statement: ?We are very pleased to be able to send our Bermuda National Optimist Team to this important event that will expose our young sailors to one of the world?s most competitive racing events in the Optimist class.

?The Bermuda team will be looking to retain the South American Nations Cup which they have held for the past three years, which is a team match racing event among all the participating countries at the South American Championships.?