Twelve of Bermuda's top Optimist sailors have headed south to Salinas in Ecuador for the South American Championships where they will aim to defend their Nations Cup title.

Mackenzie Cooper, Owen Siese, Dimitri Stevens, Kalin Hillier and Ellie Wollmann are part of a nine strong team that also includes promising youngsters CeeCee Wollmann , Mikai Joel, Michael Barit and Antonio Bailey.

They will be accompanied at the competition by team leader Paul Wollmann, country representitive Sally Burgess, and two coaches, Pablo Sanguinetti from Argentina and senior coach Paul Doughty.

The preparations for the regatta have included a week sailing off of St. Georges in tides and moderate air, which mirror what the team can expect in Salinas.

Bermuda have considerable experience in international regattas.

And they are expected to do well in the tricky conditions offered in Salinas.