Bermuda?s Zander Kirkland sailed to third place in the Vanguard North American Men?s Single-Handed Championship at the University of Minnesota last weekend.

The Tufts University junior, who has contended for honours in three successive years, ? produced his best result in the 16-fleet regatta which included seven New England competitors. The three-day event, which ran from Friday to Sunday, saw 16 races sailed.

?I was pretty consistent the first day,? Kirkland said. ?But I had two penalty turns on the second (day).?

He was penalised for being too aggressive on the starting line and for fouling another skipper, a foul he felt was unfairly awarded.

One of the penalties caused him to take a last-place finish but his other strong finishes compensated, leaving him well-positioned on day two.

?(On the second day) I knew I was not far behind third. I went into Sunday (the final day) knowing I should be in the top three. But anything could happen. Luckily the wind gods helped me,? he said.

While he earned several top-five finishes and no penalties, there was pressure until the very last moment.

?I knew I had to beat seven points. I caught a little breeze and went from mid-fleet to sixth place,? recalled the sailor who travelled to the competition with coach Ken Legler.

Together the two of them developed a game plan, depending on the wind shifts and Kirkland hailed it ?a good strategy?.

In addition to changing winds, the Bermudian had to grapple with the Minnesota temperatures but there was a certain familiarity with the Single-Handed Championships since he also competed in it as a freshman and sophomore.

?It was cold out there, not like Bermuda. Freshman year I was happy-go-lucky and I sailed fast downwind.?

That year he took fourth place and the following year he was seventh as a sophomore, a result he termed ?a disappointment?.