Bermuda's Optimist sailors swept all before them at the IODA North American Championships yesterday to retain the team racing title they won on home surf last year.

Sailed in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, Bermuda's No.1 team, comprised of Jesse Kirkland, Sean Bouchard, Oliver Riihiluoma, Cameron Pimentel and with William Hutchings as the alternate went undefeated.

The team sailed against Mexico III, Argentina I and Mexico I, with the final race an extremely close affair. There was no round robin due to the dying afternoon breeze.

Bermuda's second team, comprising of Eleanor Gardner, Haley Powell, Ryan Saraiva, Elijah Simmons and with Peter Miller as the alternate, won one out of three very close bouts.

On Tuesday, reigning individual champion Kirkland and team-mate Bouchard remained in the hunt for top honours after placing eighth and 19th during Tuesday's sole race.

For the second day in succession, racing had to be halted prematurely due to lightening.

Gardner also impressed among the women's division, placing a very respectable eighth during her fourth race to climb to 32nd position overall and fifth among the women.

“I am doing great!” she said.

Her day, however, did have its anxious moments.

“I was called over to the measuring boat when they noticed my dagger board was untied,” she said. “They asked me where I got it and I really did not know so they sent me away. I was lucky . . . I could have been disqualified.”

Among the other sailors, Williams Hutchings was in 21st, Oliver Rihiluoma 26th, Elijah Simmons 34th and Cameron Pimental 42nd. Peter Miller and Ryan Saraiva are further adrift in 49th and 73rd place respectively.