Bermuda’s sailors impress at Games

Bermuda’s sailors made strong moves today as the two leaderboards started to take shape.

Brett Wright and Kalin Hillier both put in fine performances in the laser redial class to finish the day in first and second respectively after races three and four.

Wright showed impressive consistency in recording two second place finishes, while 18-year-old Hillier followed up a fifth with an excellent race win.

Menorca’s Oscar Gomez is the pair’s closest competitor with two third places yesterday.

Hillier has been benefiting from having Jesse Kirkland as coach — and the Olympian was full of praise for how his young protégé coped with the conditions and the course.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “He hit a couple of good shifts. Brett was probably more consistent but Kalin had moments of really good downwind sailing and moments of brilliance — because it was a really tricky course today.”

Kirkland was particular pleased with how Hillier bounced back from making a few errors in the earlier races to reestablish himself as a genuine medal contender. So, can he stay there and claim a podium place?

“Oh yeah, he definitely has a shot,” said Kirkland. “It’s still early days in the regatta. Sailing is a marathon of a sport and a test of endurance but he’s prepared himself well for the event.”

Conditions are expected to remain similar to yesterday as the fleet go into races five and six — and Kirkland says Hillier has already shown he has a handle on the course.

He said: “It bodes well – he’s sailing well in this breeze, and of course it’s a good battle (with Brett). It’s always good to have two Bermudians at the top.”

In the laser standard rig, Bermuda’s Malcolm Smith is in top spot after a fourth and a second which moved him up from third, while the host island are also represented by Rockal Evans, who claimed a fifth and a third on Tuesday, in sixth.

The foursomes’ performances also put them in an early lead in the team event — albeit with six races still left — with a net score of 36. Ynys Mon are in second on 43 with Aland third on 59.