Veteran skippers Malcolm Smith and Stevie Dickinson head a strong contingent of local sailors that will compete later this month in the Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Smith captured a Gold Medal in the Sunfish Class at the 2003 Pan Am Games in the Dominican Republic and will no doubt be looking to defend his title while Dickinson will attempt to go one better after bringing home a silver medal in the Snipe Class.

Both skippers have sailed very consistently in the lead up to this year’s event, with Smith recently placing second in the Sunfish North Americans held in Alabama.

Dickinson is currently competing in Rhodes, Greece at the Island Games.

Others to shoulder the Island’s medal hopes in Brazil are Brett Wright (Lasers), Katrina Williams (Lasers) while Leatrice Roman will crew with Dickinson in the Snipes.

Wright has competed in Holland and South America this summer while inaugural Bermuda Sailing Association (BSA) female sailor of the year Williams is fresh off a terrific first 12 months of sailing for Old Dominion University.

Meanwhile, four of the Island’s top young sailors head off today to represent Bermuda at the 2007 IODA European Championship in Varkiza Beach, Greece where over 200 sailors from 38 countries will compete in the waters off the Nautical Athletic Club of Vari-Varkiza.

Representing Bermuda will be Blake Burgess, Kyle Burgess, Renee Greenslade and Kalin Hillier. The team will be accompanied by team officials Paul Doughty (coach) Sally Burgess (team leader) and Terrie Greenslade (country representative).

Earlier this week another small contingent of elite youth sailors left for Mexico to represent Bermuda at the 2007 IODA North American Championships.

Carrying the Island’s banner are James Anfossi, Anthony Bailey, Brian Bulhoes, MacKenzie Cooper, Kelsey Durham, Jason Saints, Jordan Saints and Owen Siese. Accompanying the team in Mexico is National Optimist coach Pablo Weber and team official Eddie Saints.

This year sees up to 191 sailors from 20 countries competing in the waters off the Vallarta Yacht Club. The Championship historically draws top Optimist sailors from not only North and South America but also from several other leading sailing countries around the globe also.