Bermuda?s young sailing star Sean Bouchard led the way among a top class international fleet of 67 after Sunday?s opening day of the second annual XL Capital Bermuda Optimist Regatta in the Great Sound.

Bouchard, who enjoyed a terrific summer with superb performances in both South and North America, was one of four Bermuda competitors in the top 10 after the first four races of the four-day regatta.

Oliver Riihiluoma was placed third, Elijah Simmons fifth and Jordan Saints seventh.

Some 41 sailors from Argentina, Croatia, Poland, Chile, Great Britain, USA, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Mexico, Italy, Norway and Canada are competing against 31 local sailors.

Sailing was scheduled to continue yesterday in the Great Sound with the wind blowing between 15 and 25 knots.

Sunday?s opening saw moderate southwest winds between 10 and 15 knots which held up for almost the entire day despite the forecast of heavier weather.

Bouchard enjoyed the best possible start with a second and a first in the opening two races, followed by an 11th and a 13th for a total of 27 points.

Trailing him by two points was Italy?s Leo Dubbinni who registered an 11th, sixth, fourth and eighth to record a total of 29.