A contingent of Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) youth sailors made their presence felt at last week's Canadian Optimist Dinghy National Championships hosted by the Lunenburg Yacht Club (LYC) in Novia Scotia.

Dimitri Stevens, who was consistent throughout the regatta in variable conditions, finished runner-up in the highly competitive Championship Fleet while Ceci Wollmann and Mikey Wollmann placed second in the White and Green Fleets respectively.

All three of the Island's top finishers at last week's regatta are graduates of Government's Waterwise Programme ¿ an initiative geared towards exposing the Island's youth to the sport of sailing.

To cap off a fine week of sailing Bermuda's representatives in Novia Scotia were presented with the coveted Canadian Optimist Dinghy Association Sportsmanship Award.

"The surprise of the regatta occurred during the prize-giving when the entire team was presented with a large bronze sculpture normally presented to an individual meeting the criteria.

"The Bermudians impressed the organizers and their fellow sailors with their friendliness, manners, sailing ability, determination and overall great sportsmanship," commented team leader Somers Cooper.

"Overall it was a fantastic showing by the whole team. Our presence was known both on and off the water.

"The Lunenburg Yacht Club executed a flawless event assisted by dozens of volunteers who worked tirelessly to make sure nothing was left to chance, except the weather.

"They entertained the sailors and parents off the water with numerous activities and dinners including an evening at the Lunenburg Fisheries Museum and Aquarium.

"By the end of the regatta everyone at the event had a "Feel the Love" rubber bracelet, courtesy of the Bermuda Department of Tourism."

Also accompanying the Island's youth sailors to Novia Scotia was RBYC racing coach Paul Doughty.

"The first two days of racing were sailed in "survival conditions" with 18 to 24 knots of breeze from the north west in cool but sunny temperatures. The lighter sailors suffered in the breezy and cool conditions but were tougher than many of their Canadian counterparts," Cooper added.

"Day three and four brought moderate winds and warmer temperatures and the Bermudians made the most of it, finding the conditions similar to our own Great Sound.

"These familiar conditions saw all the Bermudians move up the leaderboard."

Bermuda might've secured a third podium finish had it not been for a foot injury that forced Mackenzie Cooper, who had occupied seventh position prior to his unfortunate mishap, to withdraw.

Also competing were Sam Stan who placed a respectable fourth in Blue fleet age group, Michael Barit who finished 38th, Ellie Wollmann (52nd), Brandon Simmons (sixth), Caleb Simmons (18th) and Chase Cooper who finished 26th.