Sebastian Kempe has thrust himself into early contention for division honours at the Oceania and Australian Laser Open and Youth Championships in Adelaide.

The Bermudian sailor sits in fourth in the Under-21 division and 46th overall among the 102-strong fleet through the opening four races of the qualifying series on the waters of St Vincent Gulf to remain on course for a spot in the Gold fleet of the regatta being hosted by Adelaide Sailing Club.

Kempe has so far produced finishes of 27th, 19th, 25th and 20th and is level on points with third place sailor Lachie Weber, but trails his Australian rival on a tie-break.

Norway’s Theodor Middelthon tops the Under-21 standings by 16 points over nearest rival Caleb Armit, of New Zealand with Weber and Kempe a farther seven points adrift.

Also flying Bermuda’s flag in the ILCA 7 class in Adelaide is Campbell Patton who is 51st in the Open division and 56th overall with finishes of 30th, 27th, 16th and 32nd to date.

The 22-year-old went into the event with momentum having secured the bronze medal in the ILCA 7 class at last month’s Sail Sydney regatta Down Under.

Kempe and Patton have their work cut out competing among some of the world’s best sailors at the championships which conclude on Monday.

“It’s not just the Australians that are here it’s most of the top guys from Europe, Canada, United States, South America,” Patton told The Royal Gazette.

The duo are attempting to secure a spot for Bermuda in the men’s ILCA 7 at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France, which they hope to achieve at the upcoming World Laser Championships also to be held in Adelaide.

“The Australian Laser Nationals is almost like a warm up event for the World Championships,” Patton added. “It’s not my debut at the Australian Nationals or the World Championships but it my first time sailing in Adelaide.

“I am hoping to peak physically for this event. There’s a good amount of breeze and I am hoping that my body holds together.”

Italy’s Lorenzo Chiavarini leads the Open and overall fleet by two-points over England’s Michael Beckett. Australian Matt Wearn sits in third, a farther three points off the lead pace.