Six Bermudian sailors take to the water at Optimist South American Championship
Bermuda’s young sailors have launched their campaigns at the 2026 Optimist South American Championship in Punta del Este, Uruguay, navigating a testing 180-boat fleet on opening day.
Six island youngsters—five boys and one girl—took to the waters of Maldonado Bay, with Heath Meyers setting the early pace among the contingent.
Meyers produced a consistent opening salvo, crossing ninth in race one before adding a 19th-place finish to sit 37th overall on 28 net points.
Rex Henagulph looked poised to challenge near the front after claiming sixth in the opener, but a standard penalty in race two relegated him to 42nd, slipping to 64th on 48 points.
Jesse Savage sits 95th on 66 points (30, 36), while Aaron Riker holds 132nd on 86 points (41, 45).
Elaine Jones, the sole female competitor in Bermuda’s squad, lies 146th on 93 points (39, 54), with Alfie Jansma 156th on 100 points (49, 51) heading into a busy week of individual and team racing.
