After completing 60 hours of intensive training with coach Martin Jenkins in Bermuda during June, Zan Kirkland is now in Europe competing in the full rig Laser.

"My focus has been on improving areas of big weakness and refining strengths," said the 19-year-old, who is currently at the 2002 Laser European Championships in Vallensbaek, Denmark.

"I am pretty good at windshifts, almost cavalier, but Martin is a genius in combining windshifts with tactics against the fleet.

"He is also fast. I had my medical check-up and my weight has increased from 147 to 165lbs in one year so I am not bucking as much.

"But I am still light for the Laser and it has been blowing in Europe so far this summer."

Kirkland said Europe was the benchmark for Lasers, adding that success would not come easy as many of his competitors were older, bigger and what's more professional.

After two races in the senior division in Denmark Kirkland is 88th out of 138 having had a 33rd and a 52nd place finish.

"The Bermuda Sailing Association is applying for Olympic Solidarity funding on my behalf to elevate the coaching development in the run-up to the 2004 Olympics," he said. "I will be 25 in 2008 so this is a long term campaign and this is early days."

The 2002 Laser European Championships continue until Friday.