Elijah Simmons continues to ride a wave of success in Optimist sailing.

While most of his Bermudian counterparts competed in the Orange Bowl in Miami recently, the young skipper instead went south to the NEMWIL Southern Caribbean Invitational Optimist Sailing Regatta in Trinidad.

He emerged fourth overall with 42 points, including two first places, several seconds, a third and a fifth in the event held off Chaguaramas.

The Bermudian, who is the reigning Optimist North American champion, also received the sportsmanship award for the 12-race regatta.

Winds were 15-18 knots and quite shifty but Simmons found a bigger challenge in negotiating his dinghy around local sea creatures, often having to adjust his course to avoid hitting large manta rays.

Two Trinidadians took the top spots followed by a Mexican. Other countries represented were Barbados, Austria, Martinique, Grenada, St. Lucia, Bequia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.