national boardsailing champion after dominating a small fleet in 12 to 15 knot winds.

The Bermudian youngster, who has only been sailing windsurfers for four years, honed his skills on recent trips to Aruba and Hawaii. And the experience appeared to pay dividends last Saturday as he won five of eight races sailed.

Mello becomes the first Bermudian for several years, since Hughie Watlington and Alex Outerbridge dominated, to break through in a sport which has proved more popular with expatriates.

Second place at the weekend went to Xavier DeBemede followed by Niall Aitken and John Reddington.