Adriana Penruddocke led Bermuda’s charge on the opening day of the sailing regatta at the inaugural Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia yesterday.

The 21-year-old sailor posted identical finishes of fourth in the two races contested in the single-handed women’s Laser dinghy.

The steady display competing in 15-20 knot breezes enabled her to come ashore in fourth among the 14-strong racing fleet and in early contention for a spot on the podium.

“Overall, day one was a good one,” Penruddocke told The Royal Gazette. “Two fourth place finishes but could have been two thirds after a few small but costly mistakes made.”

The promising sailor has vowed to learn from her mistakes and come back stronger when racing resumes today.

“The biggest thing to take into tomorrow (today) is to be more aggressive on the start line as even though I had good starts it just helps get that extra edge on the others,” she added.

“Also since I feel really confident in my speed, and it shows, I feel with the aggression off the starts I could try to become top three and maybe even a second or first.

“I’m excited for tomorrow (today) and Saturday’s racing.”

Kanttida Rose, of the United States, leads the standings by two points over second placed Dolores Fraschini of Uruguay. Luciana Cardozo, of Argentina, sits in third a farther two points adrift.

Also flying the island’s banner in the sailing regatta at the Games is Benn Smith, who sits in eighth position among the 14-strong men’s Laser dinghy class.

The 22-year-old endured a tougher outing than compatriot Penruddocke on the way to finishes of ninth and seventh in the opening two races of the series.

“Difficult first day as I had difficulties familiarising myself with the course which led to me getting a ninth in the first race, which was very disappointing as I had made gains back into the top five after a bad start,” Smith said. “The second race I ended up seventh, which was also disappointing as I had a bad start.”

Despite his disappointment, Smith said there were positives to take away from the experience.

“Positives of the day was that my boat speed seemed as good as the rest of the fleet,” he said. “All I will need to do is cut out some mistakes and have a good two races tomorrow, and it will hopefully put me in the top pack.”

Clemente Lacamara, of Chile, has a one-point lead at the top of the men’s Laser class standings over nearest rival Juan Cardozo of Argentina. Leandre Boucher, of the United States, sits in third a further point behind.