The Bermuda National Optimist Sailing Team has performed well under variable conditions at the 2006 North American Optimist Sailing Championship currently being held in Ponce, Puerto Rico where 189 sailors from 22 countries are competing.

After day Three of fleet racing, the Bermuda team is led by Jordan Saints in 27th position, followed by his twin brother Jason Saints in 29th, Anthony Bailey 36th, James Anfossi 56th, Haley Powell 74th.

Other Bermuda placings are: Johnny Norfleet (84), Blake Burgess (101), Kalin Hillier (113), Lance Fraser (119), Connor Astwood (139), Kyle Burgess (156) and Ryan Powell (170).

Windy conditions during the first two days proved challenging for the less experienced and lighter sailors while providing ideal conditions for our more advanced sailors, where Jordan and Jason Saints and Anthony Bailey excelled.

Day Three saw lighter winds with occasional rain squalls that produced variable and shifty winds to test even the best of sailors.

In the team racing event, Bermuda came fourth out of 16 countries invited to compete, having lost to Trinidad & Tobago in the opening round. The Bermuda team made up of Jordan Saints, Jason Saints, James Anfossi, Anthony Bailey and Haley Powell then went on to beat France, USA and Ecuador to be eventually edged out by Peru who won the event. Singapore came second, followed by Argentina, the current world team racing champions.

The current leader in the championship is Sean Lee from Singapore.

?We are satisfied with the performance of our team who are facing stiff competition from the 22 countries participating in this year?s event,? said BODA president Eddie Saints.

?Our junior sailors with less experience in international competition are doing very well and will certainly benefit from this unique experience while our advanced sailors are holding their own against to the competition.?

Today is the final day of competition with two races scheduled.