Top sailor Paul de Souza looking ahead to the Olympic cycle

Wednesday 7 May, 2025 - THERE’S nothing like training at home. Just ask Paul de Souza, the reigning champion of the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) Bahamas Open Senior Nationals.

Over the weekend in Lyford Cay, de Souza got to taste some international competition and he fared very well at the Bahamas Sailing Association’s national championships in Lyford Cay, placing second behind visiting Portugal Olympian Eduardo Marques. 

In the process, de Souza held off local arch-rival Joshua Higgins in their first head-to-head clash as they both are preparing to claim the one spot for the Bahamas for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.

After making his return to competition after just three months of training, de Souza admitted that it’s a whole different ball game.