American Optimist Dinghy Championships which get underway in Bermuda in a little over three weeks.

Competitors from the US, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and Ecuador have so far confirmed they are coming to the event, being hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

Racing, which starts on August 16, will take place in either Granaway Deep or in the Great Sound south of Pearl Island. A mock regatta held in Granaway Deep recently allowed the race committee, chaired by Charles Tatem, mark boats, umpires, safety boats, scorers and race organisers to plan their roles in the regatta.

While preparations gather pace in Bermuda, a number of the Island's Optimist sailors -- Zander Kirland, John Paul Doughty, Alex Lines, Giles Spurling and William Thompson -- are in Portugal for the World Championships.

Early in August, Kirkland will join five other Bermudians -- AJ Black, Alan Frith, Ben Wicks, Lawson Williams and Zane Pedro -- at the US Nationals in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Further details about the competition can be found on the RBYC web page www.rybc.bm.