as Bermuda's advanced Optimist sailors put on a good showing in the New England Fall Championships in Hingham, Massachusetts last weekend, the final regional regatta of the year in the northeast.

Kirkland placed just four points behind USA World team member Eric Storck, winner of the 1998 North American Championships in Bermuda. Kirkland recovered from a 50th finish in the fifth race to win the sixth and final race to climb to second overall after his `throwout' race.

Another local, Jonathan Kempe, was 23rd overall. In his first overseas regatta, Hamish Burns finished 60th.