Benn Smith led a group of local junior sailors who impressed at the recent Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta in Miami.

Smith underlined his potential after securing a top ten showing in the Olympic class Laser Radial fleet boasting 46 boats.

The son of Malcolm Smith, the multiple World Sunfish champion, managed seven top finishes in the ten-race series, including a bullet.

Also punching above his weight was Adam Larson who placed an equally impressive 18th in the 98-boat 420 fleet.

Competing with overseas crew Kenny Corsig in the double handed 420, Larson posted six top ten finishes with a best showing of third.

Bermuda had a heavy presence in the single handed, developmental Optimist dinghy class, with Sebastian Kempe, son of past RBYC Commodore Somers Kempe, and Christian Ebbin placing 43rd and 56th in the Gold Fleet.

Gen Lau was the island’s top performer in the Optimist Silver Fleet in 54th, followed closely by Jack Roberts in 58th and Daniel Larson in 60th. Skye Oliviera finished further back in 129th, followed by Racheal Betschart in 139th, Jacob Hodder in 153rd and Cameron Pimental in 165th.

Ben Redburn, son of Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club commodore and experienced offshore sailor Neil Redburn, led the island’s charge in the Optimist Green Fleet, where he placed tenth in a field of 74 competitors with four top ten finishes under his belt.

Ethan Thompson was the island’s next best performer in the Optimist Green Fleet in 22nd followed by Jack Butterworth in 34th.