posting a first and second in the first two races of the International One Design class as International Race Week got underway yesterday.

Bishop, a regular contender from Fishers Island, New York, set the pace in winds oscillating between eight and ten knots in the Great Sound.

Brian Young is in second place after finishing fourth and first, with former world champion Bill Widnall a quarter of a point behind in third after he came second and third in the two outings.

Bermuda's Penny Simmons, a past champion at the event, is away attending Antigua Race Week.

Jim Keesling, of the US, was at the head of the J-24 fleet, also after two races yesterday. He finished fourth and first to give him a mere quarter of a point lead over Bermuda's Jonathan Corlees, who came in second and third, and Canada's Thomas Hakansson, who are tied for second.

The Etchells fleet, meanwhile, saw action in just one championship race yesterday after a practice run in the morning. Current British champion Graham Bailey won it, with American Tom Piper second and Bermuda's Andreas Lewin third.

On the dinghy course off Spanish Point, Malcolm Smith won the first Lasers race of the series. The Bermudian was followed by compatriots Brett Wright and Christian Luthi. The other smaller boats, the JY-15s and the Snipes held a practice race.

Race Week organiser Les Crane said: "It was a perfect start to the week. The winds, clear skies and moderate temperatures added up to a perfect recipe for a great day of competition.'' Six of the seven classes will be in action today, the exception being the Tornadoes.