Olympic sailor Peter Bromby could be in line for the post of national Optimist coach.

The four-time Olympian has been given the chance to convince Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association's (BODA) hierarchy that he has the coaching pedigree to take the Island's budding sailors to the next level and beyond.

Bromby, who with crew Lee White narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Games, has struck a short-term coaching deal with BODA that has the potential to flourish into a winning partnership.

"This is a two-fold thing. We want to make sure we get some good coaching for our guys and it can also be considered as a trial period for Peter to show what he is capable of in the coaching realm," explained BODA president Martin Siese.

"Peter brings with him the experience of 16 or so of years of sailing at the very top level of the sport. And primarily he will be trying to get the kids to develop excellent tactical habits."

During the past decade, Bromby has risen to prominence as one of the world's top sailors in the Star Class. He has also dominated the local Etchells fleet.

Siese added: "At the moment Peter doesn't have a huge knowlege of the Optimist Dinghy itself. But what he will bring is tactical and strategy to the kids; teaching them how to get into the lead and hold onto it.

"Peter has a very keen eye and he will be watching and learning more about the boat while he's watching them. This is a learning process and so far the feedback from the kids has been positive."

Over the past few days Bromby has been overseeing a BODA sailing clinic involving some of the Island's Optimist sailors who will compete at this week's Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta to be hosted by the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami, Florida.

The regatta, to be held from December 27-30, is one of several Junior Olympic Festivals held annually in the US designed to help broaden the base of sailing at the grassroots level in the region.

Among those to fly the Island's flag in Florida are Owen Siese, Dimitri Stevens and Chris Sposato who have all already competed this year at major Optimist regattas in North and South America and Europe.

"All of these guys already have decent sailing experience under their belts," noted Siese, who is confident Bermuda's representatives can hold their own in Florida.