Bermuda’s PJ Rodrigues and Christian Ebbin were unable to make inroads at the Youth Sailing World Championships in Brazil yesterday.

The pair ended the day in the same position as they started in seventeenth among the 30-strong male/mixed skiff class and are 45 points shy of the medal places, after producing finishes of tenth, fifteenth and seventeenth in the light air conditions.

“Today was very light winds ranging from five to eight knots,” helmsman Rodrigues told The Royal Gazette.

“The racing is very close with the whole fleet finishing within a few minutes of each other.”

Crew Ebbin is inspired by the progress he and Rodrigues have made in the double-handed 29er skiff.

“We are very happy with our progress over the last few days and look forward to the heavier wind predicted for the next few days,” he said.

“PJ and I have only been sailing together for just over a year, where many of these teams have been together for several years.

“This regatta has demonstrated how far we have come in such a short period of time racing against the top team from every country.”

Bermuda coach Joshua Greenslade, who represented the island in the class in 2008, was also happy with the pair’s display.

“Today was a lighter day and very close racing,” he said. “Each race the boys were able to improve their position from where they rounded the first mark. They are now looking to finish strong over the next two days with stronger breeze forecasted.”

French duo Karl Devaux and Hugo Revil, winners of Youth World Championships gold in 2021 and this year’s EuroCup series champions, remain top of the standings by 14 points over nearest rivals Alex Demurtas and Giovanni Santi of Italy.

Rodrigues and Ebbin are making their debut at the event after qualifying at the Typhoon UK 29er Class National and Open Championships in Weymouth, England, this summer.