Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Academy sailors Christian Ebbin, Magnus Ringsted, Nicole Stovell and Rachael Betschart will look to improve upon their previous showing when they compete at the Semana de Mar del Plata Regatta in Argentina.

Ebbin, the national Optimist boys champion, Ringsted and Betschart all qualified for the gold fleet at the event last year, while Stovell, the national girls’ Optimist champion, qualified for the silver fleet.

Ebbin was the island’s top performer, finishing fourth in the 78-strong gold fleet with two wins.

He was thick in the hunt for top honours but ultimately came up short after being tagged with two black flags for going over the start line early, which proved costly.

Ringsted and Betschart also held their own to finish 24th and 39th, respectively, in the medal fleet.

Expectations will be high for Ebbin who enjoyed another stellar year last year.

The Somersfield Academy student won the Cork International Optimist Regatta in Ontario, finished second at the Volvo Gill Optimist British and Open Championship in England and ninth at the Optimist North American Championship Nassau, Bahamas.

He also finished 24th among a fleet of 261 international sailors at the 69 Trofeo Cuitat de Palma Regatta Bufete Frau in Majorca, Spain, and defended his PwC Bermuda Optimist National and Open Championships title in local waters.

Ebbin, Ringsted and Betschart are all making their third appearance at the championship.

The Semana de Mar del Plata Regatta is considered as one of the toughest Optimist regattas in South America.

The regatta is being organised by the Club Nautico Mar del Plata in conjunction with the Yacht Club Argentino and runs from February 1 to 8. Racing starts on Monday.

RBYC sailor Chase Cooper won the regatta in 2013.