Adriana Penruddocke has given her impressive showing at the inaugural Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia the proverbial thumbs up.

The Bermudian sailor remained in contention for a spot on the podium throughout the six-race series competing in the women’s Laser Radial class before ultimately coming up just short.

Penruddocke finished fourth, just five points outside of the podium places, among the 14-strong racing fleet.

“Overall, I am really happy with the event even though I missed out on the podium,” she told The Royal Gazette. “I have learnt so much from my first Junior Pan Am Games and I am looking forward to the future.”

The 21-year-old started the final day of the regatta on Saturday in fourth and did her medal hopes a world of good after posting a regatta-best second place finish in the penultimate race of the series.

“I knew my plan was to get out to the right and so with a great start and boat speed I was able to get over to the right and hold my position around the course,” Penruddocke explained. “Because we were doing three laps after the first lap, it was about being conservative and just do what my strength is, which is boat speed.”

However, the local sailor was unable to hold off Argentine Luciana Cardoza who went on to secure the bronze medal instead.

“The second race was a bit harder, especially after the worst start of the regatta,” Penruddocke added. “This meant going to Plan B but luckily I was able to tack out early and head over to the right with boat speed.

“After rounding the top in sixth, I kept working at getting to the next boat in front and eventually after the second and third laps I was able to come back to a safe fourth position finish.”

Dolores Fraschini of Uruguay and Kanttida Rose from the United States secured the gold and silver medals respectively.

Also representing Bermuda in sailing at the Games was Benn Smith, who finished seventh in the 14-strong men’s Laser Radial class.

The 22-year-old posted a seventh and best finish of third in the final two races of the six-race series on Saturday.

Clemente Lacamara, of Chile, clinched the gold medal with Argentine Juan Cardozo and St Lucia’s Luc Chevrier claiming the silver and bronze respectively.

In addition to earning the gold medal in the respective divisions, Fraschini and Lacamara also secured qualification for the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

Smith and Penruddocke secured the island’s spots at the inaugural Games competing at the 2018 Youth World Championships and Women’s Youth Sailing Championships in Texas.