Jesse Kirkland, the Bermuda Olympic sailor, was among the team who won the Etchells North American Championship in San Diego at the weekend.

Kirkland called the shots as the tactician on board Scott Kaufman’s boat, America Jane II.

Kaufman’s team came from behind to win the eight-race series by a comfortable 13-point margin over nearest rivals Terrapin, helmed by skipper Steve Benjamin.

Rock n’ Roll, helmed by skipper Argyle Campbell, rounded off the podium.

Kaufman’s team posted five top three finishes during the series, including two firsts.

“What a great result for the boys!,” an elated Kirkland told The Royal Gazette.

“We have been working hard, fine-tuning a few things over the winter and spring season, so seeing this regatta work out for us feels good.”

Kaufman told Scuttlebutt Sailing News: “We sailed really, really well.

“With a good group on the boat, things went our way. We had really nice starts, good boat speed and that helps with these tactics if you can get off the line really well.

“I am honoured to be among the other people who are on that list. It’s amazing, a whole history of sailing has won this event. And we did it!”

With an American national Etchells title under his belt, Kirkland, who competed against America’s Cup helmsmen Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge at the 2012 Olympic regatta in Weymouth, England with brother Zander, has now set his sights set on next month’s Etchells World Championship in San Francisco.

“While we are stoked at the moment, we don’t want to rest on our laurels with the Worlds around the corner in San Francisco, which is a much different venue with big breeze and current,” Kirkland, who is employed as a full-time insurance underwriter and lives in California, said.

Kaufman added: “It’s completely opposite conditions ... it’s going to be breeze on up there. San Diego has very light breezes so we will take the boat up with different sails.

“We know our settings reasonably well in the breeze so we are going to practise, then go up and race.”

Kirkland is not the only Bermudian sailor competing at next month’s championship as multiple national Etchells champion Tim Patton and his son Campbell are also among the racing fleet.

The Etchells World Championship will take place at the venue of the 34th America’s Cup from September 22-30.

Also competing is Iain Murray, regatta director for the 35th America’s Cup, which Bermuda hosted this year.