Light and shifty breezes made decisive tactics and boat handling critical to scoring points on day two of the qualifying event for the Investors Guaranty King Edward VII Gold Cup yesterday.

With a score of 7-1, Cameron Dunn of New Zealand is a top contender to enter the main event, although he faces tough competition as the elimination round enters its third and final day today.

?We have been sailing well and we have got the first cross each time and the sides we want to get,? Dunn said.

?I just want to keep the momentum going and keep winning my matches and to get to the qualifier matches. I have two tough ones on Monday but we are getting to know this boat and we are sailing fast.?

Dunn is racing with his Mascalzone Latino Italian America?s Cup challenge team-mates Michele Paoletti, Marco Constant and Matteo Auguadro.

New Zealander Cameron Appleton and Polish sailor Karol Jablonski, who sails for the Spanish America?s Cup team Desafio Espanol, are both in second place with a score of 6-2.

Jablonski enjoyed a perfect day after arriving late due to passport problems in London. He took over the helm from team-mate John Cutler who moved to the foredeck.

?We have been having a great regatta and we are sailing together for the first time so we feel we are getting around the track and making the right decisions,? Appleton said.

Japanese sailor Takumi Nakamura is also having a strong regatta with a score of 5-3 and is emerging as a contender to make it to the qualifying rounds.

?The windier conditions are easier for us than the light air but we are happy to be in the game and sailing well and we do hope to hang in there for the qualifier match,? he said.

Bermuda?s National Match Race champion Alec Cutler has a 3-5 deficit that he must overcome but his strong performance against Eric Monnin of Switzerland during the second flight of racing gave him the momentum on which to build.

?We closed some deals out there on the water and the teams are very, very even,? Cutler said.

?There is no reason why more Bermudian sailors cannot be match racers but switching from fleet racing to match racing isn?t easy. You can be the best jockey in the world but it doesn?t make you a horse jumper. The two are quite different disciplines but we are pleased to be out competing and it has been a great event.?

American sailor Bill Hardesty and his crew have remained in the hunt for the qualifying rounds at 5-3 after beating fellow American Elizabeth Kratzig and her 4-4 team.

?Hamilton Harbour makes it important to come out first at the starts and you want to come out of the block with speed,? commented Anthony Katoun, a team member on Hardesty?s boat.

?I think that the mistakes come at the starts and you have to recover from that,? Hardesty added. ?We have ironed things out and feel strong going into the final races of the round robin.?

Monnin did not sail as well in yesterday?s light breezes and was frustrated with his performance, stating: ?We are used to the light breezes in Switzerland and that should be good for us. We have to sail well through our next three races to stay in this.?