Competitors had to cope with heavy winds of up to 25 knots and gusts even higher as they battled in the Great Sound yesterday on the second day of the third annual XL Capital International Optimist regatta.

It was Denmark?s Magnus Kaeldso who again proved to be the fastest in the fleet which has brought together young sailors from all around the globe.

Conditions moderated as the day continued with Kaeldso finishing on top after five races were completed, adding to the four raced on Sunday. Sailors were allowed one discard.

Bermuda?s best, however, also enjoyed a fruitful outing with Jordan Saints taking second place on the day followed in third by twin brother Jason.

Bermuda?s Joshua Greenslade placed fourth.

Overall, Kaeldso remains in first place with Greenslade second, Mathias Svendson of Denmark in third and Jordan Saints fourth.

Four more races are scheduled in the Great Sound today with the regatta wrapping up tomorrow.

Recent graduates from the Optimist fleet dominated the Byte class national championships over the weekend with Oliver Rihiiluoma taking first place, William Hutchings second and Eleanor Gardner third.

Rihiiluoma and Hutchings both finished the regatta with 14 points and Gardner 29.

Former Sunfish world champion and Pan-Am Games medallist Malcolm Smith had to settle for fourth place with 36 points while another veteran, Stevie Dickinson, best known for his success in the Comet class, placed eighth with 44 points.

The Byte C2 class is Bermuda Sailing Association?s designated single-handed boat for youth sailors in their mid teens.

The class world championships are being planned for Bermuda in early July next year.

Meanwhile, also over the weekend, Sara Lane Adderley dominated the10-race Laser Radial national championships to finish on top with 13 points.

In light to moderate conditions, Brett Wright placed second (18 points) with Katrina Williams, who qualified for the ISAF Youth World Championships, placing third (also 18 points).