Cameron Pimentel has even more reason to be hungry for success after being swallowed up at times by the top-class field in the Laser class at the Pan Am Games.

Pimentel, who finished fourteenth overall in Toronto, intends to step up his weight training regime and increase his calorie intake after admitting he is at least 10lbs too light to compete at the highest level.

The 24-year-old has been slowly piling on the pounds over the past few months but believes he must bulk up further or risk losing ground on his more experienced rivals.

“To sail the boat at its best you have to be at a certain weight,” Pimentel said.

“It usually ranges between 180 to 185lbs, whereas I hover between 170 and 175.

“You’re trying to keep the boat flat all the time, so when the wind hits the sail you counterbalance it with your body.

“For me to gain weight is really tough and I try to eat as much as I possibly can. But I burn so many calories when I workout or compete, so it’s difficult for me.

“I’m going to revaluate these next couple weeks to try and gain those pounds in the next block of time before the next [Olympic] qualifier.”

Pimentel had his best day on the water yesterday, coming eighth and twelfth in his final two opening series races in Lake Ontario.

It was a welcome change of fortune for the 24-year-old, who experienced some tough days of racing and was more often than not left trailing towards the rear of the 16-boat fleet.

“The last race made me feel so much better about the whole event,” Pimentel said.

“It was my first top ten and that made me a little bit happier coming in and it’s great to end on a high note.

“I’ve had so many opportunities to get a top ten and never actually completed the whole thing. Finally, I actually managed it today.”

Pimentel intends to “let loose” when he returns home for Cup Match, having lived a monkish existence during the past few months while preparing for his first major international competition.

He will soon be back in action, though, as he looks to land a qualifying spot for next year’s Rio Olympics at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Miami in January.

“I’m going to head back to Bermuda and try to enjoy Cup Match,” said the Somerset supporter.

“I’ve been going at it for about a month and a half, so I will take a bit of a break and then get back to it in earnest and try and earn that [Olympic] spot.

“I need to be at the optimal weight because the final Olympic qualifier in Miami always has good breeze.”