Five of Bermuda's top junior sailors are currently in Niteroi, Brazil, competing at the World Optimist Championships.

Mackenzie Cooper, Owen Siese, Dimitri Steven, San Stan and Connor Astwood are expected to encounter light conditions as they race in the Bay of Charitas.

In fact, little or no wind at all caused racing to be cancelled yesterday.

Cooper is attending his first World Championships, having placed first in the Bermuda team trials – at one point reeling off five consecutive first places. He recently placed 28th at the IODA North American Championships.

Siese finished 62nd at the Worlds last year in Cesme, Turkey and more recently placed fifth at the IODA North American Championships.

Stevens, a graduate of the WaterWise programme and a recipient this year of the Junior Elite Athlete award, recently placed 29th at the North Americans. He too is competing at his first World Championships.

Amother making his debut is Stan. The youngest on the team, he qualified with a late surge during the trials. He recently attended the Swedish National Championships, finishing 25th.

'Veteran' Astwood is at his third Worlds. The heaviest member of the squad, he faces a real challenge, needing all of his experience to combat the light conditions.

The Worlds started this week and continue until August 15. Aspen Insurance Ltd have come on board to help finance the sailors.

Team Officials

Coach: Paul Doughty

Team Leader: Lisa Siese

Country Representative: Ron Stan