Thomas McBain mounted a gritty performance to spearhead the local contingent as individual racing roared back to life at the 2026 IODA Optimist World Championship in Morocco.
Just 24 hours after the high-octane team racing, the focus shifted back to individual honors. The Royal Yacht Club de Tanger provided a breathtaking yet technically punishing backdrop, testing nearly 300 elite international competitors.
Navigating shifting Mediterranean breezes and a crowded start line, McBain showed immense composure to sit in a highly commendable 47th place overall with a net score of 159 points.
Further down the leaderboard, the remaining Bermudian sailors dug deep. Rex Henagulph locked down 154th position on 204 net points, followed by Heath Meyers in 186th (271 points). Miguel Leite crossed the threshold in 192nd (288 points), while Jesse Savage showed plenty of fighting spirit in 202nd place (312 points).
With the leaderboard incredibly tight, the young squad will look to capitalize on the lessons learned in Tangier’s complex waters as they aim to climb the international standings.
