The 14-year-old Bermudian Byte sailor is battling it out with the best young sailors in North America.

Last month Wicks flew to Halifax to link up with Canadian youth racing team, the Byte World Order (BWO). And over last weekend he secured third place in the Byte fleet during the Sail East 2000 Championships, held in Beaconsfield, Quebec.

Wicks was among 259 entrants for the event, 54 of whom were entered in the Byte class.

Day One saw the talented teenager finish the day in first place (1-2-3) in conditions which varied between 20-25 knots. His finishes improved throughout the second day (10-7-4) as the wind strength increased.

Wicks finished the day, and the regatta, in third place as there were no races on the final day.

Prior to the event, Wicks spent several weeks at a training camp with the 14-strong BWO at St Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia. While there he came third in the junior section of the ARK Regatta and first in the junior section of the St Margaret's Bay Regatta.

Unable to compete in the forthcoming CYA Youths tournament because non-Canadians are not allowed to enter, Wicks is resting in preparation for the CORK Regatta in Kingston, Ontario.

The annual event hosts many class championships on several different courses.

The Byte section will determine the 2000 North American Byte champion.

Wicks should come across his touring team-mate from last year at the meeting, fellow Bermudian Zander Kirkland, who will be competing in the Laser Radial fleet.

Ben Wicks: on his way to a third place finish at the Sail East 2000 Byte Championships in Canada last weekend.