Young Bermuda sailor Jesse Kirkland improved as he went on to finally finish fifth overall in the US National Optimist Championships.

Kirkland ended the first day in 16th place, climbed to 10th on day two and ended fourth in his age group out of 133, as well as fifth in an overall fleet of 313.

The next best placed of the nine-strong Bermuda contingent competing at the Barrington Yacht Club in Newport, Rhode Island, was 10-year-old Elijah Simmons, who won his age group and finished 47th overall.

James Feathers finished 71st, Oliver Kempe 116th and Geoffrey Smith 117th. Dominic White was 264th.

In the green fleet for novices, Katrina Williams rallied on the final day of heavier winds to finish fourth out of 77.

Haley Powell was sixth and Marc Smith 11th, just out of the prizes.