Bermuda’s young sailors have launched their campaigns at the 2026 Optimist South American Championship in Punta del Este, Uruguay, navigating a fiercely competitive 180-boat fleet on opening day.
Six young island sailors—five boys and one girl—took to the waters of Maldonado Bay as fleet racing got underway, with Heath Meyers setting the early pace among the contingent.
Meyers produced a consistent opening round, crossing the line ninth in race one before following up with a 19th-place finish in race two. That leaves him on 28 net points and 37th overall in the expansive international fleet.
Rex Henagulph looked poised to challenge near the front after a fine start, claiming sixth in the opening heat. However, a standard penalty in race two relegated him to 42nd, leaving him on 48 points in 64th position.
Jesse Savage sits 95th overall on 66 points after recording finishes of 30th and 36th, while Aaron Riker holds 132nd spot with 86 points following a 41st and 45th.
Elaine Jones, the sole female sailor in Bermuda's travelling squad, carded 39th and 54th to sit 146th on 93 points, with Alfie Jansma rounding out the group in 156th after logging a 49th and 51st (100 points).
Fleet racing continues through the week in Punta del Este, with up to ten races scheduled alongside a dedicated team racing championship.
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