Peter Bromby was looking good to head back to the summit in the Pre-Olympic Regatta in Athens during yesterday's sole race - but then Mother Nature intervened.

Star class skipper Bromby and crew Lee White rounded the first mark during the ninth race of 11 in second place and if positions had remained the same would have had a handy lead as the event reaches its climax.

However, the Islanders, along with the race leaders from Germany, sailed "into a hole" after the last leeward gate, while the rest of the fleet opted for the opposite side and flew straight past.

Bermuda team leader Andrew Palfrey said: "The Germans were able to salvage something in finishing fifth but Peter and Lee sailed their discard race in placing 15th.

"It was a cruel way to end what had been a great performance under pressure to that point."

However, despite the setback Palfrey said the pair remained in good spirits.

"With two races remaining they are only four points behind (regatta leaders Grael and Ferreira of Brazil) and locked together on points with Germany," he said. "The USA are a couple of points further back in fourth, with the Dutch holding down fifth."

Unstable winds and fear of a thunderstorm meant there was only one race yesterday for the Stars, with the only other competition taking place among the Tornado catamarans.

Consequently, there was no racing for Bermuda's other competitor, Paula Lewin in the Yngling class.