World class Optimist sailors have descended on Bermuda for four intense days of sailing in the Great Sound.

The third CL Regatta kicks off tomorrow in the Great Sound with 70 sailors from Japan, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and the US battling for the title.

?The success of the past two regattas has demonstrated real value in having Bermuda sailors race against some of the best Optimist sailors from around the world, here at home,? said regatta chairman and Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association president Eddie Saints.

?It also offers international participants serious competitive racing in a safe and warm environment.

?The sport of Optimist sailing utilises the main natural resource of Bermuda as we are surrounded by water and we share the feeling that Optimist sailing instils our youth with hopefully lifelong traits of perseverance, drive and a sense camaraderie.?

Saints added that as only up to 15 of Bermuda?s 70 or more Optimist sailors could compete in international regattas abroad, staging a world class event on the Island allowed up to 35 local sailors to take to the waters and compete at a high level.

?It?s very important for the development of the sport,? he added.

?Bringing in Optimist sailors of this quality is fantastic for the locals as it gives them an opportunity to compete against some of the best from around the world, without the costs associated with international competition.?

Although the Japanese and the US are expected to be challenging for the vacant title ? the Croatian winner for the past two years is now too old to compete ? there is also expected to be a strong showing from locals led by experienced international campaigners Oliver Riihilouma and Cameron Pimentel as well as the ?next generation? of Jordan and Jason Saints and Josh Greenslade.

There are expected to be 16 races between tomorrow and Wednesday with forecasts showing moderate to heavy conditions.