THIRTY years ago Bermuda's Howard Lee proudly walked into Montreal's Olympic Stadium to represent his country at the 1976 Olympic Games in the Finn class.

And later this month the sailor will travel to South Carolina to compete in the Sunfish World Championships and will no doubt attain a record as being the oldest sailor at the Worlds.

Lee is 71-years-old.

But he is not allowing his age to hinder him. "I am in fairly good shape ? I have been training a lot and have been eating better," he said. "I have been sailing the Sunfish a lot this year and I also came fourth in the (Long Distance Race) Comets this summer. I walk a lot and I also am a drummer which helps to keep in shape."

But Lee also knows that he is no 20-year-old and will be forced to rely on his vast experience to get him through the Worlds which can be a gruelling experience ? especially if the winds are strong. "I feel that with my experience I can make it through," he said.

And Lee, who basically taught himself how to sail after his grandfather (Fred Enos) gave him an old punt, is now passing on his knowledge and wisdom to his grandson, Rockal Evans, who will also be competing at the Sunfish Worlds along with Bermuda's Sunfish King, Malcolm Smith.

Evans, 18-years-old, is currently sailing the down to the island from Maine and will immediately hop on a plane after arriving in Bermuda to join his grandfather and Smith in South Carolina where the Sunfish Worlds will be sailed from September 30 to October 6 out of the Charleston Harbor Resort.

"Rockal will leave right after the arrives ? I will be up there and will set up his boat for him," said Lee adding that the Worlds will be a serious test for his grandson.

"But I never dreamed that he could be coming long so quick. He has learned fast but he is very dedicated and he always wants to practise. Right now he is out three days a week in the Laser ? and the Laser is a tougher boat that the Sunfish. I can see that he is a true sailor. I would love to see him follow in my footsteps and get to the Olympics one day. I made a special effort to get him into the Sunfish Worlds. But when he gets out there he will see a different ball game regarding racing ? he will see how the course is set up and the big fleet ? there will probably be over 100 boats racing. It will be very strenuous for him. And these will be long courses. But it is important to get that experience which he can hopefully pass along to the other young sailors here in Bermuda when he gets back."

Lee himself has sailed a variety of classes over the decades of racing. "I have sailed the Sunfish for years and have been in five or six Worlds ? but not for a long time! I have also sailed the Comets, Lasers and Finns in which I raced in at the Olympics in Montreal."

Of his grandson he said: "Like me he has not had the best time of it growing up. Both of us have been in the same boat."

Lee's mother left him when he was only three years old and he has admitted that his father "was drinking all of the time".

"But," he said, "my grandfather helped me a lot when I was young ? he gave me a little punt ? and I could see where I could help Rockal. He didn't have an easy upbringing ? he had a tough road coming up like I had a tough road. But that can make you hungry and make you pay attention. It can give you a lot of determination. Are you going to be a winner? And then you also have to learn how to by humble ? realise that you can be beaten and how to get back up and try again. When I first started I took a lot of slams. But you keep going and get better. I had a lot of hard work to get to the Olympics but I made it."

Lee said others have also helped his grandson greatly over the years. "He started sailing at White's Island when he was about 13 and also trained at the RBYC and Mr. (Paul) Doughty was one of his teachers. He helped him a lot as did Malcolm Kirkland who has done a fantastic job with him helping him in so many ways. He has been out in Sunfish a lot and Malcolm Smith has been helping him as has Brett Wright ? they have been good to him and teaching him a lot."

Lee is now represented by Mandana Entertainment. He said: "Mandana (Sharifi, the owner) has been a big help to me. We used to work together a while back and she has always been interested in my sailing ? she is doing some public relations for myself and Rockal."

Sharifi, whose business is based in Fort Lauderdale, said of Lee: "I have known him for a long time when I did some work in Bermuda. Mainly I represent pro athletes and musicians and I thought it was fitting that I represent him as he is both a musician and athlete. I also believe that his grandson could become the Tiger Woods of sailing ? especially with Mr. Lee's guidance and experience. I really think that Mr. Lee is a Bermuda legend ? it is a shame that he doesn't get more help (from those in Bermuda). I find that his grandson is very focussed and committed."

Sharifi said that she will be going to Charleston for the Worlds and will try and get endorsement deals for Lee and his grandson.

"I truly believe in both of them and what they have accomplished and what they will accomplish ? I am sure I can get sponsors for both of them," she added.

Earlier this month Malcolm Smith, who has won the Sunfish World Championships three times, said this may be his last shot at the crown.

But Lee begged to differ. "I think Malcolm has a lot left in him. He is a strong boy and the type of job he has on the farm keeps him in good shape. He has a lot to offer and is a great sailor. It is going to be nice that myself, Rockal and Malcolm will be together at the Worlds. We will help each other out and work together and support each other."

And like Smith, Lee is hoping to revamp the Sunfish class in Bermuda. "The Sunfish is a boat which is great and is recognised world wise. It is easy to maintain and hopefully we can get it back to where it belongs."