Bermuda's Olympic sailor Paul Lewin has shot up the rankings and is now among the top five Yngling skippers on the planet.

According to the latest ISAF (International Sailing Federation) standings, released on August 6, Lewin, who sails with her crew of sister Peta Lewin and Klaartje Zuiderban, has gone up from ninth to fifth.

Fellow Olympian, Star Class sailor Peter Bromby, has held steady at fifth in his class.

Meanwhile, Zander Kirkland, currently competing at the Pan-Ams in the Dominican Republic in the Laser Class is also upwardly mobile.

After some good results on the European circuit the 20-year-old has gone from 163rd in the world to 140th. In August of 2002 he was 262nd.

Bermuda's junior and senior sailors continue to savour a superb summer!

Young Elijah Simmons was in a pitched battle for top honours at the USODA Optimist Nationals heading into the final day of racing yesterday at the Chicago Yacht Club in the USA.

Well placed on second - with 45 points from nine races (one drop) - he was eyeing American Kiel Killen who was leading with the low total of 35 points.

Simmons boasted two firsts, three seconds and a third and a fifth among his finishes and opted to discard his 30th place from race six.

Five other Bermudians - William Hutchings (21st; 106 points), Anthony Bailey (57th; 241), Alistair Hutchings (115th; 433), Jordan Saints (121st; 450) and Jason Saints (151st; 560) - are participating in the regatta.

Meanwhile, veteran and former champion Penny Simmons placed second last weekend at the IOD World Championships in Maine, USA.

The Bermudian finished with 20.5 points from seven races in Northeast Harbour. The winner was C. VanVoorhis with 16.75 points.

Three other Bermudians - Craig Davis, Jordy Walker and Bob Duffy - placed 11th, 12th and 17th respectively with 54.75, 60 and 88 points.