when they competed in the Orange Bowl Regatta in Miami, Florida, for the first time ever.

Five locals -- Travis Spurling, Bobby Beale, Andrew Henderson, William Thompson and Jeff Steynor -- came up against a stiff field of 155 Optimists sailors who came from countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Sweden, Germany, United States and the Virgin Islands.

Instructors Peter Bromby and Jamie Harvey were pleased with the performances of the locals, considering the fact that it was their first international regatta. Bromby runs the Optimists programme at Sandys Boat Club while Harvey is in charge of the one at Windjammer.

"The entire event was a real eye opener for the kids, with such a large number of Optimists it was indeed a learning experience for them,'' said Bromby.

Bromby was unable to give the exact placings of his sailors but said that most of them finished between 90th and 110th in the large fleet.

The occasion also enabled the two instructors the opportunity to evaluate the programme at the regatta with hopes of advancing the ones that are held here for the Optimists.

Unfortunately no information could be obtained on the other classes. They were the Laser II class and Laser class, featuring eight locals.