Benn Smith leads in qualifier

Benn Smith is leading the qualification regatta to represent Bermuda at the IODA World Sailing Championships.

Smith, the current national Optimist champion won three of the five races completed on Saturday.

The second part of the trials will be sailed on April 20-21. The top five sailors at the end of the regatta will represent Bermuda in Italy this July at the IODA Worlds.

Race Officer Charles Tatem said the wind conditions ranged from 5 to 20 knots from the west and southwest.

After eight races Smith sits with 14 points, a six-point lead over second placed Ceci Wollmann with 20 points. Chase Cooper had to break a tie with Campbell Patton to secure the third position and both sit on 23 points. Rounding out the top group is Mikey Wollmann in fifth with 33 points. Matilda Nicholls is just behind him in sixth with 35 points.  

A total of 23 sailors raced this weekend.

Prior to resuming the World's selection trials in April, BODA is sending a five sailor team to Porto Alegre, Brazil to compete in the IODA South American Championships March 21 - 31.  That team consists of trials leader Smith and Cooper from the RBYC along with Ceci Wollmann, Mikey Wollmann and Peter Dill from the RHADC.  

They will be accompanied by Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association high performance coach Martin Jenkins.