Peter Bromby of Bermuda has inched his way up into fourth place as the 2003 Star Class European Championship head to a thrilling climax today in Cascais, Portugal.

As racing continued yesterday, Bromby and crew Martin Siese finished third in the day's lone race to be tied with Fredrik Loof on 24 points after five races. However, the Swede - who won yesterday's race - is third on retrogression, keeping himself in with a chance of regaining his title with one race left.

Bromby was locked in a keen battle for second and third with Brazilian rival Torben Grael throughout much of the fifth race, the former holding down second spot up until the third mark.

However, Grael had overtaken him by the time they reached the fourth mark and those positions remained the same at the finish.

Grael leads the competition with the low score of 13 points though Dutchman Mark Neeleman, who was fourth yesterday, is second on the same number of points.

In brief remarks on the regatta's website, Bromby admitted he was "a little disappointed" to finish third after being second for nearly the whole race.

Today's goal, he said, was "to have a good race to finish the best we can".