Sebastian Kempe surged into the lead to clinch his spot in the gold fleet at the Laser Under-21 World Championships in Morocco in fine style yesterday.

Starting the day in second behind overnight leader Finley Dickinson, the Bermudian finished fifth in the final qualifying race to swap places with his English rival on the leaderboard.

The former youth world champion has been consistent in trying conditions over the past several days having posted four top-five finishes during the five-race qualifying series, which included a first and two thirds.

“The qualifying series here has been very shifty and very windy,” Kempe told The Royal Gazette. “It has been very difficult to stay consistent but I believe that I have definitely placed myself in a strong position heading into the finals.”

The 18-year-old tops the standings by a solitary point over Dickinson with Australian Stefan Elliott Shircore a further point adrift in third.

While inspired by his progress, Kempe is refusing to rest on his laurels as he continues his push for a podium finish competing among the 58-strong gold fleet heading into the business end of the regatta.

“Leading the regatta heading into the finals is exciting for me,” he added.

“However, the job is not done yet, so I know that I have to keep raising the bar higher for my competition.”

Kempe placed fifth at last year’s Laser Under-21 World Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal, and is making his debut competing on the African continent at the regatta which is being hosted by Royal Yacht Club de Tanger and concludes on Sunday.

He has already enjoyed success on the international stage having won Bermuda’s first gold medal competing in the men’s Laser Radial at the Youth Sailing World Championship in Oman last year.