Advanced Optimists sailors Kalin Hiller and Owen Siese got their North American Championship campaigns off on solid ground in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic earlier this week.

Competing among nearly two hundred elite Optimist sailors heralding from 23 different countries, the Bermudian pair posted two podium finishes sailing in tall and confused seas and ten to 14 knot winds.

Siese collected the Island's first bullet in this year's regatta while the consistent Hiller finished runner up during last Thursday's fleet racing in Andres Bay.

Hiller currently leads the local contingent and remains in 11th position overall followed by Siese who is a further ten places back in 21st.

There are presently five local sailors among the top 50 on the leaderboard, among them Mackenzie Cooper who warmed up for this year's North American Championships by placing a respectable 15th in a fleet of 74 at last month's Scotiabank Caribbean International Optimist Regatta in the US Virgin Islands.

Three additional fleet races were scheduled for yesterday while today will see the start of team racing which, on paper, Bermuda should be able to hold their own against some of the world's elite sailors at this level.

Earlier this year Bermuda finished runner up in team racing at the South American Championships in Ecuador.

Accompanying the Island's eight-member team in the Dominican Republic are coach Paul Doughty and Bermuda Sailing Association (BSA) president Somers Cooper.