Bermuda sailors Sebastian Kempe, Campbell Patton and Benn Smith fell short of securing an Olympic spot for the island at the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship in Adelaide, Australia, yesterday.

The local trio’s hopes were dashed after they failed to qualify for the gold fleet, which features the top 50 sailors at the regatta competing for the title in the medal race.

“None of the Bermuda sailors qualified for the gold fleet, so sadly we will not be earning an Olympic spot at this regatta,” Bermuda Sailing Association president Somers Cooper told The Royal Gazette.

“There are ten countries in gold fleet that have not yet secured Olympic berths, so those candidates will battle for the seven spots available.”

Kempe coped best among the local contingent as he sits 84th in the 152-strong fleet with a best showing of sixth during the qualifying series.

Patton is ten places adrift in 94th, with a best display so far of 23rd, followed by Smith in 129th with a best display of 35th to date.

Kempe, 18, started the final two races of the qualifying series within striking distance of advancing to the gold fleet and more importantly clinching a spot for the island at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France, before his worst finishes to date of 38th and 40th put paid to those hopes.

He and Patton will now see out the remainder of the championship competing in the silver fleet and Smith in the bronze fleet.

Reigning Olympic and World Champion Matt Wearn, of Australia, holds a three-point advantage over England’s Michael Beckett followed by former leader Hermann Tomasgaard, of Norway, a farther point back in third.

Time is running out for Bermuda’s ILCA 7 male sailors to book a place at the next Olympics with just one final opportunity for Olympic qualification.

“Non-European countries like Bermuda in silver and bronze fleets will now be looking for qualification at the Last Chance Regatta, Semaine Olympique Française, in Hyères, in April,” Cooper said.

“European countries have an additional chance of qualification at the upcoming European Championships.”

Adriana Penruddocke is the only Bermudian sailor to have so far qualified for this summer’s Olympics in the ILCA 6 women’s class.

She secured a spot for the island in the Pan American Games in November, and will represent the island at the main event as the only local female involved in an Olympic campaign.