Bermuda's young sailors at the 2008 International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) World Championships in Turkey did the Island proud over the weekend as they finished in a tie for fourth in the team racing event.

The Island's team, consisting of Connor Astwood, Owen Siese, Brian Bulhoes, Kalin Hilier and Christopher Sposato, outsailed the likes of the Netherlands, Sweden and hosts Turkey before bowing out of the double elimination event against eventual winners Puerto Rico.

Bermuda got off to a sluggish start in the first race against Uruguay who quickly jumped out in front. But the Islanders fought back to get themselves in contention only to be pipped at the finish by their opponents who also completed an "insurance" penalty turn.

With their backs against the wall and facing elimination, the Bermuda team were also slow off the mark in the second race against host country Turkey. But a costly error by the inexperienced Turkish sailors opened the door for the Bermudians who capitalised on their opponents' mistake to win by a comfortable margin and keep their hopes alive.

Bermuda then gathered more momentum in the third race when they outsmarted the Swedes in a tactical battle before seeing off the threat of the Netherlands in another evenly contested battle.

But against current North American champions Puerto Rico, the Bermuda team ran into a brick wall despite putting up another valiant effort against a team who thrived in the heavier air.

"The Puerto Rican team are very strong in heavy air. We were hoping the breeze would drop out," commented Bermuda team leader Martin Siese. "Unfortunately, the breeze increased and Puerto Rico took full advantage.

"Puerto Rico went on to beat Singapore in the final. And so there is some consolation in the fact that we lost to the tournament champions."