Sailor Zander Kirkland is on the map after making sailing's world rankings for the first time.

The ISAF, sailing's governing body, has placed the Island teenager 488th out of a total of 828 sailors in the Olympic Laser class.The ranking will ultimately decide whether he makes the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

However, if he does not get to represent Bermuda at the European Olympiad then he aims to fly the flag in China in 2008.

“I have two years to qualify,” said the 18 year old. “My plan is to start hammering that ranking down.”

To make the games Kirkland said he would have to be in the top 90 in the world. To achieve that will require a lot of hard work between now and then.

However, he is using the experience of another fellow sailor to spur him on.

“Christian Luthi just missed out last time and probably would have been there if it had not been for a bike accident,” he said.

Kirkland came fourth in Bermuda's national championships in March, coming in ahead of Olympic sailor Sara Lane Wright and behind Martin Vezina, Malcolm Smith and winner Martin Jenkins after the races on the Great Sound.

He underwent an intensive period of training with Argentine Jenkins during the same month while the latter, twice winner of the Optimist World Championship, was in Bermuda preparing for an Olympic qualifier in South America.

However, he realises he needs even more time on the water if he is to achieve his dream.

“I have a big growth year ahead of me. I am competing in Europe this summer and in the World Championships in Hyannis, Massachusetts in September.”

Kirkland graduates from the Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts next month and will then study at Tufts University in nearby Boston where he will sail six days a week during the Spring and Autumn.

“Tufts is a national contender (in sailing) so I am counting on that fact to develop my tactical skills,” said Kirkland, who has been putting on weight and now tips the scales at 170lbs.

“Meanwhile, I plan to do as many long course, open water events as possible for speed and technique.”