Bermuda’s next generation of sailing talent is heading north to compete against the continent's finest at the 2026 Optimist North American Championship.
The Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association (BODA) has unveiled a formidable nine-strong roster for the prestigious regatta, which takes place in Halifax, Canada, from 21st May to 28th May.
Hosted by the historic Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, the high-stakes event will feature a massive fleet of more than 200 elite young sailors representing countries from across North America and beyond.
The selected sailors have earned their spots on the start line following an intensive, globetrottting high-performance preparation programme designed to test them in all conditions.
The squad traveled to Spain in February to test their mettle at the Palamos International Optimist Trophy, before gaining further vital racing minutes in April at the fiercely competitive JK Pirat Portorož Easter Regatta in Slovenia.
Faced with massive European fleets, the young Bermudians gained critical tactical experience, specifically sharpening their positioning on congested start lines and adapting to varied wind and wave patterns—exposure that coaches believe will be invaluable on the waters of Nova Scotia.
The traveling contingent will be led by high-performance coach Pablo Weber, alongside team leader Steve Smith and country representative Rinear Coulter.
The nine athletes flying the island's flag in Halifax represent the top tier of Bermuda's youth sailing pipeline, drawing talent from the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC):
Heath Meyers (RBYC)
Jesse Savage (RHADC)
Rex Henagulph (RBYC)
Calypso Coulter (RBYC)
Ishmael Dill (RBYC)
Elaine Jones (RBYC)
Walker Smith (RBYC)
Alfie Jansma (RBYC)
Miguel Leite (RBYC)
"The participation of these sailors at the international championship level is a testament to the skill, dedication and resilience of Bermuda's young athletes," a BODA spokesperson said ahead of the team's departure.
"Through BODA's High-Performance Programme, we remain committed to developing the next generation of world-class sailors. We wish our sailors the very best as they take on this incredible challenge and represent Bermuda on the global stage.
"Their countless hours of training and unwavering dedication to prepare for this event are truly impressive and deserve the highest admiration."
The association also expressed deep gratitude to the Bermuda Sailing Association, local yacht clubs, parents, and donors, noting that their "steadfast support makes these transformative opportunities possible and motivates us to continue striving for excellence."
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