The Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association has announced the sailors to represent Bermuda in a string of international championship regattas this summer.

First up on the calendar is the Optimist World Championship, which takes place from June 15 to 25 in Costa Brava, Spain.

Bermuda’s top five optimist sailors, Shiloh Cruickshank, Nina Gotfredsen, Trystan Hocking, Dylan Menzies and Miguel Power, will be taking part with the quintet set to compete against 57 nations and more than 250 participants.

Noah Amaradasa, Gotfredsen, Hocking, Menzies, Power and Brady Mackay will form Bermuda’s squad for the Optimist North American Championships to be held in Antigua from July 2 to 9. The event will feature 13 different nations and about 125 sailors.

The final regatta is the 2023 Optimist European Championship, which will be held from July 15 to 22 in Thessaloniki, Greece. Evan Davis, James Ganal and Rory Savage have been selected and will compete against 47 nations and more than 300 sailors.

BODA secretary Dede Cooper said the sailors taking part in the global competitions have been highly committed.

“The participation of these optimist sailors on an international championship level is testament to the skill, dedication and fortitude of Bermuda’s young sailors,” she said.

“The Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association is proud to assist these sailors in reaching their full potential through its High Performance Programme.”

Pablo Weber, the Bermuda coach is working with the sailors to ensure that they continue to set high standard.

“Under the direction of our national team sailing coach, Pablo Weber, we expect that our sailors will fulfil their potential and gain unparalleled experience while competing among the world’s best optimist sailors in the upcoming World, North American and European Championship Regattas,’’ Cooper added.

“I would also like to take this time to thank all our generous donors and supporters, especially LOM, Chubb, Orbis and Resolution Re. Also, thanks to our many volunteers and the organisations who have donated some spectacular auction and raffle prizes this year.”

As a way of supporting the sailors attending the Worlds and North American Regattas, BODA is hosting a fundraising reception and silent auction today at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.