aspiring young sailor Zander Kirkland, who placed a creditable eighth during last weekend's North American Laser Radial Championships in Buffalo, New York.

Kirkland was competing against 53 other youths representing all points throughout the United States and Canada.

The regatta took place under breezy conditions in and around Lake Erie, with Kirkland being forced to adjust his style to better suit the heavy air.

"I experienced the largest waves I've ever sailed in on the first day, where I didn't have the technique down and finished 10th and 12th,'' said Kirkland.

"In the flatter water I had a good stretch where I came fifth, fourth, sixth and third, which lifted me into the top five, but I suffered for speed in the last races.'' The next stop for Kirkland in his summer campaign will be the Canadian Olympic-Training Regatta in Kingston (CORK), Ontario, which will see 75-80 boats competing. Kirkland will then return home in time to sail a 420 dinghy alongside JP Doughty in a bid to win the Bermuda Nationals, which start on August 24.