Sebastian Kempe achieved an impressive hat-trick of podium displays on day two of the 30th International Palamos Optimist Trophy in Palamos, Spain, yesterday.

The Saltus Grammar School pupil was a model of consistency as he produced a third-place and two second-place finishes in the three races contested in favourable 12-15 knot breezes to secure his spot in the gold fleet in emphatic fashion.

He completed the six-race qualifying series with the fourth best record competing among a fleet of over 500 boasting some of Europe’s elite sailors at this level.

“I thought it was a very solid finish to the qualifiers and very consistent, which will help me going through into the next final races,” Kempe said.

“The conditions were ideal for my body weight and I was able to make gains when I was behind and extend on boats when I was ahead, which is good.

“I’m confident right now with the way I am sailing and looking forward to the challenge of competing in the Gold fleet over next two days.”

The 13-year-old, who is competing under the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and Sandys Boat Club banners, arrived in Spain with momentum, having produced Bermuda’s best showing at the Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta in six years in Miami, Florida last month.

He finished sixth with four top-three showings during the 12-race series, including three wins.

Meanwhile, accompanying Kempe in Spain is his cousin, Sarah Davis, who also made headway in the final qualifying races.

Davis produced a 73-31-61 record to jump nineteen places in the overall standings from 345th to 326th.

Atilla Martin, of Latvia, completed a clean sweep of victories in the qualifying series to carve out a seven-point advantage at the top of the pecking order.

The 30th International Palamos Optimist Trophy, which is being held in conjunction with the 14th Nations Cup and hosted by the Club Nàutic Costa Brava/Vela Palamos, concludes tomorrow.