Jesse Kirkland was riding high after day two of the Optimist South American Sailing Championships.

The Bermudian youngster was in fifth place going into yesterday's sailing in Montevideo, Uruguay, having moved up 24 spots.

Team-mate Elijah Simmons exhibited great skills as he leapt 30 places to 16th, but was protested by the Race Committee for a safety infraction.

The consistent Sean Bouchard, who had been the highest placed of the Bermuda sailors after day one, also improved his position by one, moving into 20th place.

Ryan Saraiva posted the greatest gains, moving up 42 places to 110th while Oliver Riihiluoma improved 22 places to 132nd.

Eleanor Gardner showed maturity. Although slipping 30 places to 74th she was the fourth highest Bermudian and tenth female of 32.

Other members of the team held similar positions to their first day with Cameron Pimentel in 85th place, William Hutchings in 89th and Alexander Dill in 110th. Peter Miller was 131st and Madeline Gardner 154th.

Tuesday saw the team sailing in what were described as "very challenging conditions".

The mocha waters of the Rio de la Plata conceal a deceptively swift current that conspires with light winds to challenge the minds of the western hemisphere's best young sailors.

The series has been characterised by light winds and a strong two knot current - one that has swept finishers away from the finish line and has sent boats reeling to make windward marks.

On day one the Race Committee abandoned the third race as the winds died, causing the fleet to drift backwards.

Bermuda's Optimist team, however, appears to be adapting well to the deceptive and unfamiliar conditions.

The series will be decided after 12 races with two discards. Team racing took place yesterday while today is a rest day with racing resuming tomorrow and continuing on Saturday. Winds are expected to increase on these days.