Bermuda’s sailors were jumping for joy after producing a podium display at the Optimist South American Championships in Algarrobo, Chile.

Representing Bermuda 1, the team comprised of Sebastian Kempe, Christian Ebbin, Magnus Ringsted, Laura Hupman and Rachael Betschart secured the bronze medal after finishing third competing in the double- elimination Nations Cup Team Racing event.

“The team was very happy with their third-place result,” Somers Kempe, the team leader, commented. “They first lost to USA 1 and then their second loss was later on in the day to USA 2 who then went onto the finals and beat USA 1.

“It was quite windy so it was quite quick racing. But they sailed well and they enjoyed themselves.”

The island was represented by two teams in the team racing event held on Wednesday.

Bermuda 2, comprised of Ben Redburn, Kipling Rossouw, Ava Adams, Amelia Lewis and Nicole Stovell, were eliminated after suffering back-to-back losses against USA 2 and the Virgin Islands.

Rossouw, Redburn and Adams are all making their debuts at the event this year.

Meanwhile, the individual championship was scheduled to resume yesterday however racing was postponed due to lack of wind in the waters of Algarrobo.

“Unfortunately, it’s been a little bit colder and it was foggy and the wind was never able to settle in so it was a long day onshore waiting,” Kempe said. “But they are ready to try again tomorrow (today) to see if we can get at least one more race in so they can get a drop in their series.”

Ebbin leads the local contingent after four races and is twelfth among the boys and 17th in an overall feet of 169.

Betschart, the top girl going into today’s racing, is eleventh among the girls division and 45th overall.

The regatta, which concludes tomorrow, is being hosted by Cofradía Náutica del Pacífico Club.