Choppy and challenging conditions yesterday prevented sailing in two of the eight classes as International Race Week continued in Hamilton Harbour.

However, for those able to compete, it was another intense day?s racing with Bermudians in the thick of the action in every class.

While local sailors Stevie Dickinson and Malcolm Smith ? leading the Comets and Snipes respectively ? had to cool their heels ashore as competition officials determined their vessels were too light for the breezes and unpredictable waters, their compatriots in other classes pressed for success.

In the IODs, the experienced Jordy Walker moved from fifth to third position, winning both of his division?s races. He is on 22 points, six adrift of leader American Bill Widnall who has the low score of 16 points. Another American, Kevin Farrar, is second on 20 in the battle for the Vrengen Gold Cup.

Christian Luthi and Tim Patton are carrying Bermuda?s charge in the Etchells in third (18 points) and fifth (20) respectively. American Peter Duncan won both races in that class yesterday and the New Yorker has now triumphed in all except one of his five races, to head the standings with nine points ? compatriot Tim Lynch (14) is currently second.

Adam Barboza kept local hopes up in the J-105s as his second and third places bolstered his place atop those standings with 11 points. However, American Thomas Coates is just two points behind (with two firsts yesterday) while another Bermudian, Glenn Astwood, is third on 21.

Stuart Jardine, of the UK, is alone at the top of the J-24s with 15 points as Bermuda?s Mike Lewis slipped to second place with 18 points after sharing the lead on Monday. Jon Corless, who won both races yesterday, is on 19 points.

Bermudians are also doing their country proud in the Laser and 505 classes. Brett Wright continued his dominance among the Lasers with two first places to have 12 points from six races while Chuck Millican leads the 505s. He recorded a fourth, first and second yesterday to post 19 points, two ahead of Craig Davis.

?Most of the racing is very close and it?s really been great competition. Today the wind was coming straight out of Granaway Deep and it was going all the way across the Great Sound, back up into the corner by Dockyard,? said race spokesman Talbot Wilson, disclosing there was even damage to some boats.

?The waves were in short chops and there were very difficult conditions. Some halyards were broken; one on a J-24 and one on an Etchells. An IOD had a broken part on its boom so they withdrew.

?It was just very windy but good conditions. We?ve had a variety of conditions ? a little cloudiness and a light breeze on Sunday. Then Monday was brilliant with bright sunshine and about 12 knots (of winds). Today it was blowing 20-25 (knots) and it was very fast racing.?