Bermuda’s youth sailors have arrived in Vilamoura, Portugal, to compete in the International Optimist Dinghy Association’s World Championships.

The regatta starts on Saturday and ends on July 4.

The team of five were chosen by the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association after a qualification series of 16 races to determine the top sailors.

Representing Bermuda will be Micah Raynor, Tayte Stefaniuk, Felix Cutler, Jordan Etemadi and Leyli Walker. The team will be accompanied by Pablo Weber, their coach, and Mona Walker, their team leader, and Bethanne Thomas.

The regatta will pit Bermuda’s sailors against the best optimist sailors from around the world. There are 253 sailors entered from 58 nations.

This will be Stefaniuk’s third World Championships and Micah’s second. Jordan Etemadi, Felix Cutler and Leyli Walker are going to the competition for the first time.

“BODA is very excited to have such a talented team of sailors represent Bermuda at the Optimist Worlds in Portugal,” Sean Ringsted, the BODA vice-president, said.

“They will be sailing against the best in the world and I am confident that this outstanding group of sailors will perform admirably. We are fortunate to have the support of Coach Pablo and other partners, including parents, Aspen and the BSA to make this event possible.

“We are seeing the Optimist class go from strength to strength in Bermuda and the experiences of our World’s team will provide inspiration to all our young sailors.”