Philip Sparks of Christchurch, England, lifted the Renaissance Reinsurance Junior Gold Cup over the weekend, with the low score of 14 points.

Sparks overcame 34 competitors from 10 nations, including several from Bermuda.

The Junior Gold Cup, sailed in conjunction with the senior King Edward VII Gold Cup, was also the final regatta of three to select Bermuda?s team for the Optimist World Championships.

The five who have now qualified are Josh Greenslade, Jordan Saints, Haley Powell, Jason Saints and James Anfossi. They?ll represent the Island at the Worlds in Montevideo, Uruguay from December 29 to January 7.

?Josh is our number one optimist sailor,? said event chairman Eddie Saints. ?They way the Worlds team ended reflects the ranking here in Bermuda.?

A total of 10 races were held over three days on the Great Sound. The first day was light and shifty, the second cancelled along with the King Edward Gold Cup due the threat of severe weather, while the weekend racing tested the youngsters with a wide range of conditions.

Sparks won the event by 13 points over Greenslade. Third went to Marcus Hansen of New Zealand, who finished with 31 points.

?Philip was faster than most of the kids,? said Saints. ?He clearly dominated in the conditions that prevailed throughout the week.?