Bermuda's Zander Kirkland is holding down 17th place in the Brazilian Laser Championships following a string of consistent performances on the waters off Rio De Janeiro.

Competing against some of the world's top sailors including current world champion Gustavo Lima of Portugal and former world champ Robert Scheidt of Brazil, Kirkland has posted finishes of 15, 18, 19, 18, 16, 19 in the first six races.

After yesterday's action when the young Bermudian placed 16th and 19th, he said: " There was a bigger breeze today. By the end of the last race, it was blowing around 20 knots with big waves.

"The first race was solid and sthe econd was good until the leeward mark, where I almost wiped out and could not round the mark. I had to tack and lost four boats."

In all the fleet of 54 will compete in 10 races.

Brazilian Scheidt is running away with regatta with six straight victories.

Vasilij Zbogar of Slovakia holds down second place with Spain's Luis Martinez currently in third.