Bermudian sailors Peter Bromby and Paula Lewin reaped contrasting fortunes on the first day of the 2003 Miami Rolex Olympic Classes Regatta yesterday in the USA.

Competing in the Star class, Bromby and crew Lee White had all reason to smile as they were in first place among 68 boats after three races. They finished eighth, seventh and 11th for a total of 26 points; four better than American skipper Andy Lovell, currently second on 30 points.

Lewin would have loved some of her compatriots' luck as she found herself frustratingly stuck in the middle of the Yngling fleet of 24 boats. After three races, she is 15th overall with 41 points, having placed 12th and fourth in two races while being penalised for a premature start in her other race and placed 25th.

Betsy Alison leads fellow American and defending Rolex champion in the Yngling, Carol Cronin, nine points to 12, after day one of racing in Biscayne Bay, Florida.

Bromby, who won the Star class two years ago, was notably bubbly as he spokelast night about his superb start; a feat magnified by the fact that many of the other world-ranked competitors suffered miserable sailing.

"Everybody had ups and downs and we were the only boat that was around the top ten all day," he noted. "To come out of today with two top ten finishes and a third near the top ten, we're quite fortunate. Some of the good guys fared really badly.

"I don't think the current world champion, Ian Percy (UK), finished in the top 25 all day, so that gives you an idea of what type of conditions we were up against.

"We're quite happy to have three solid races. It's a great start."

Bromby, who termed conditions "fairly light and quite tricky", is hoping the winds will pick up in the coming days, otherwise he too could experience the misfortune which others endured yesterday.

"We could use a little breeze because if this light air hangs around, sooner or later, we're going to be on the bad side of it," he said.

If all goes well, the Star class competition will be determined on the basis of a maximum 12 races and, given the elite fleet, the ACE-sponsored sailor would relish bringing the title home to Bermuda again.

"I hope all continues to go well. This is a Grade One event - that's the highest (level) - and just about every noted competitor in the Star class is taking part. It would be great to come out on top here," said Bromby, who finished second last year.