Alec Cutler and the crew of Hedgehog still lead the Melges 32 fleet at the halfway stage of the Quantum Key West regatta in Florida.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club skipper posted two seconds and a third bullet of the regatta in yesterday’s three races, contested for in 14-15 knot westerly breezes, to stretch his lead at the top of the leaderboard ever so slightly.

With six of the ten race series completed, Cutler holds a two-point advantage over second place boat, Delta, helmed by American skipper Dalton DeVos, that seized line honours in two of yesterday’s races to remain in the thick of the hunt.

In third is Helly Hansen Inga from Sweden, helmed by Richard Goransson, a further eight points adrift of Cutler who will look to put more distance between himself and the chasing pack when racing resumes today.

“It was a good Key West Day,” Cutler said. “It is a small but very tough fleet so we will take a 2-2-1 today.”

Cutler and crew showed great resolve in the face of adversity after placing second in yesterday’s opening race despite being forced to restart after going over the line early.

“We thought we were right on the line but the race committee saw it a little bit differently, so we were over by maybe a foot,” Cutler added. “We started over early and had to restart but caught our way back to second and almost nipped first.”

The local sailor has been a model of consistency to this point, finishing no lower than fourth in the seven boat one-design Melges 32 fleet.

Teams were permitted to discard their worst finish at the completion of yesterday’s racing. Cutler is no stranger to the Quantum Key West regatta, having earned a place on the podium at the previous event after finishing second behind American skipper Brian Porter in the Melges 24.

Also competing in Florida this week is Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club skipper Chuck Millican aboard the J-70 Elusive.

After five races Millican, who will lead Bermuda’s delegation at next month’s Winter Olympics in Sochi was 36th in the 60-boat J-70 fleet. The local sailor’s crew includes compatriot, Carola Cooper, who is serving as tactician.