American Zach Berkowitz captured race one of the I-14 World championships held yesterday in the Great Sound, finishing ahead of European champion Zeb Elliott and Rob Greenhalgh of Great Britain.

Britain with 30 boats competing in the regatta also finished strong with Elliott and Greenhalgh finishing second and third respectively. Defending champion, Kristopher Bundy finished fourth.

In variable conditions that fluctuated between 12-18 knots, sailors had to rely on their experience to negotiate steep seas and rain squalls that confronted them.

Berkowitz, the reigning US champion, was pleased with the result he and team-mate Trevor Baylis got but remained cautiously optimistic after the victory, stating that the series was still young and that plenty of racing lay ahead.

"Trevor (Baylis) is a phenomenal crew, he's a long time friend of mine. We sailed our first World championship together back in '79'," he said.

"We've done a lot of development over the past year and managed to get some practice in for this regatta.

"Conditions were great out in the Sound. We've been practicing hard for this event, but it's just the first race."

With northeasterly winds expected to increase to 15-20 knots overnight, sailors can again brace themselves for more intense action as the second race is scheduled to get underway at noon today in the Great Sound.

Race chairman, Jordy Walker who relishes the speeds these boats can achieve, said that the competitors had had to approach the course cautiously and play it safe.

"Conditions were blustery and variable in direction and a real test of knowledge of the weather rather than the ability to sail," he said.

"The name of the game today was to work yourself into a comfortable position, don't take unnecessary chances, stay afloat and don't capsize!"

Meanwhile, current world champion Bundy remained in the thick of the hunt.

Bundy's colleague, Jamie Hanseler, was satisfied with the result and looked ahead to today's race.

"Conditions were ideal - it was a fair race. We had about six boats that could have easily won," he said.

"People were making a lot of mistakes - including us!

"There were some major wind shifts out there that we had to stay on top of and we're glad to have stayed afloat and completed the course."