Veteran skipper Penny Simmons will rest his national IOD title on the line during this weekend’s Bermuda Sailing Association (BSA) Keelboat Nationals.Fresh off last week’s triumph at the 2012 IOD World Championships on local waters, the Hall of Fame sailor will now look to build upon his latest success while bidding to defend his national title.Simmons will enter the regatta among the favourites but is sure to find his work cut out against the likes of Craig Davis, Patrick Cooper and Blythe Walker who could pose a serious threat to his title defence.The IOD fleet will race tomorrow in the Great Sound in winds forecast to be 12-18 knots.Joining the IODs is the Etchells fleet that will compete tomorrow and again on Sunday when winds are expected to increase.Mark Watson is the reigning national Etchells champion and will be keen to defend his title against the likes of Tim Patton, John Hele, William Thompson and Jason Owen who is returning to the Island to compete.BSA president Patton, who placed 36th in a fleet of 74-boats at this year’s Etchells World Championship Down Under, is hoping to come back strong after losing his rigging during last year’s Keelboat Nationals.This weekend will also see some of the Island’s most promising sailors compete in the Digicel 2012 Bermuda Optimist Open being held in conjunction with the BSA Keelboat Nationals and Green Fleet Clinic.Among those expected to be thick in contention during the Optimist Open are the likes of Benn Smith, Matilda Nicholls, Campbell Patton and Chase Cooper.Cooper is fresh off a solid showing at 2012 IODA North American Championships in Mexico, where he placed tenth out of a field of 149 sailors, to earn the Island’s its best showing at the regatta in three-years.All eyes will also be on Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club sailors Peter Dill and siblings Mikey and Ceci Wollman who all produced podium displays at last week’s 2012 O’Pen BIC World Championships in Miami, Florida.With three sailing fleets out on the water this holiday weekend, hosts Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) will be a beehive of activity.“This weekend is the pinnacle of a very busy sailing year for the club,” commented RBYC flag officer Leatrice Roman. “We’ve had Newport Bermuda, Argo Group Gold Cup, IOD World Championships and now BSA Keelboat Nationals and Digicel Bermuda Optimist Open Nationals.“I’m very grateful to the wonderful race management teams, volunteers and staff who’ve made these events successful.”