Bermuda's Peter Bromby and crew Lee White relinquished their grip on second place in the Star Class at the 2003 Spa Regatta in Medemblick, Netherlands, yesterday.

Bromby got off to poor start during yesterday's opening race which saw the Island's 2004 Olympic hopeful finish 12th. And although the Bermudian battled back to place sixth in the regatta's penultimate sixth race, it still wasn't enough to halt his descent in the overall standings.

Bromby slid down to fifth position but with one race remaining still stands a slim chance of securing a creditable top three finish in a racing fleet comprised of elite international sailors.

Defending champion Iain Percy of Great Britain cruised to a fifth place finish in yesterday's opening race before seizing line honours in the second to extend his lead at the top. The current world number one has a ten-point lead over France's Rohart Xavier and Sweden's Fredrik Loof who currently hold down second and third respectively.

Percy is now a firm favourite to retain his Spa Regatta title when the Olympic event draws to a close today.

Meanwhile, the Island's sole competitor in the Yngling class, Paula Lewin, managed to hold onto eighth position yesterday with two races left.

Lewin and crew Carola Cooper got off to a superb start after crossing the finish line in fourth position during the day's opening race. However, any joy would be short lived as the 2002 Female Athlete of the Year could only struggle to a disappointing 17th place finish in the second race.

But despite enduring a day of mixed fortunes, Lewin was able to maintain her grip on eighth place and remain on course for an overall top ten finish among a fleet of highly ranked world female sailors.

Great Britain's Shirley Robertson and crew Sarah Webb maintained a three-point lead at the top over American pair Betsy Alison and Lee Lcyda and Germany's Kristin Wagner and Anna Hoell.

Lewin still has two races remaining in the Yngling class which draws to a close today.

The 2003 Fitted Dinghy season officially kicks off today in St.George's Harbour where perennial combatants Contest, Elizabeth, Victory and Challenger will allcontest for the prestigious Heritage Trophy.

At last report, Jonathan White's, Port Royal, had opted out of today's start and isn't expected to compete for the remainder of the season.

Mike Lewis will skipper Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club's Elizabeth while Somers Kemp will be at the helm of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club's entry, Contest. Mike Oatley, meanwhile, will skipper St.George's Dinghy Club's Victory while Paul Fisher returns to the helm of Sandy's Boat Club's Challenger.

The Heritage Trophy series which gets underway at 11 a.m. will precede both the Anniversary Cup (1.30 p.m.) and also the Masters Cup set to begin at 3 p.m.