Bermuda is to host a top sailing event for youngsters next year, it was announced yesterday.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club confirmed it had won the bid to stage the International Optimist Dinghy North American Championship for the first time.

Les Crane, co-chairman of the regatta, which will take place between August 16-22 in the Great Sound and Granaway Deep, said: "This is the premier event for sailors aged 15 and under. In the past it has always been staged in the US, Canada or Mexico. So this is quite a coup for us.'' Around 150 competitors aged 10-15 from North and South America and Europe are expected to travel to the Island for the event. They will compete in fleet races against 30 local sailors in the small, single-handed craft.

Crane said: "We hope to demonstrate to our young sailors that Optimist and youth sailing is serious business and help to raise the level of sailing for our local sailors.

"We also want to expose overseas sailors to the beauty of sailing in Bermuda which will hopefully benefit the Island with future visitors when they get older.

"Not only that, but competitors will be able to form friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime.

"It promises to be a very competitive and educational event.'' The championship has been timed to allow five to seven of Bermuda's best young Optimist sailors to warm up by competing in the US Nationals prior to the event and up to four of them to take part in the World Championships in Portugal in July.

Premier sponsors for the competition, which is expected to cost in the region of $125,000, include the Bermuda Department of Tourism, The Department of Youth Development, Sports and Recreation, Stevedoring Services and Bermuda Container Line.

The latter will underwrite the cost of shipping competitors' boats to the Island.

But there will also be local expenditure on the opening and closing ceremonies, and fuel costs for the large number of safety boats that will be required.

Director of Tourism Gary Phillips said: "We're particularly excited because this event will attract young people to Bermuda.''