Top Bermuda Laser sailor Zander Kirkland will be taking a well-earned break after picking up a 12th place finish in the South American Championships.

A ninth in the final race gave Kirkland his 12th place in a strong fleet in Sao Sebastiao, Brazil, but the undoubted highlight saw the Olympic hopeful pick up a fifth place finish ? the perfect way to celebrate his 21st birthday.

"I was in a battle for 11th overall and lost it right at the end of the race," said Kirkland, who has been competing in a number of events in South America so far this Olympic year.

"I had been leading the guy most of the race and on the approach to the finish he caught a rather special windshift on my weather hip and sailed over me.

"It was a good race all the same, as I consolidated my 12th place overall. It seems I settled down in the second half of the regatta and put together some solid scores."

Kirkland recorded finishes of 10th, 11th, ninth, eighth and ninth in the final five races of the ten-race regatta ? most of the races were held in relatively strong breezes of 15 knots or more with the final event raced in 25 knot winds.

In the regatta's second race, held on Kirkland's birthday, he battled it out with top Croatian Mate Arapov and current European champion Vasilij Zbogar of Slovenia, beating them right at the finish.

"I just need to put together more of these great races," continued Kirkland.

"The wind has been good training, but has taken a toll on my legs. I have been sailing a lot recently and I am looking forward to a little break.

"But it won't be long as I need to return to the gym and the water soon to gain more strength.

"Hopefully the time on the water and my physical training in the next few months will put me in a good position to qualify for the Olympics at this year's World Championships in Turkey in May.

"That is the overall goal and all the regattas in the lead-up to this event are seen as training.

"This South American trip has been very good because it has allowed me to sail against some of the world's best."