Bermuda's Paula Lewin and Peter Bromby set sail today in the 2003 Miami Rolex Olympic Classes Regatta.

More than 470 sailors representing over 30 countries will be competing on Biscayne Bay in Florida as the regatta gets underway.

In its 14th year, the Rolex Miami OCR has not seen a turnout like this since the two years leading up to the 1996 Savannah Olympic Regatta when foreign sailors targeted the event for testing themselves on US waters. Sailors registered yesterday and racing was set to begin today.

Bromby, who won the event in the Star Class two years ago, will be competing with crew Lee White, who replaces Martin Siese.

Lewin, meanwhile, will have Carola Cooper with her as the pair go for glory in the Yngling class.

Racing continues through Saturday.

At 05:49:09 local time this morning Bermuda's Alan Paris sailed BTC Velocity across the finish line to complete Leg Three of the Around Alone Race in New Zealand.

It was a spectacular arrival in Tauranga to cap a fast and fun trip from Tasmania where Paris was forced to stop a week ago to repair his rigging.

Of all the skippers, Paris had the best transit of the Tasman, and one of the best sails down the New Zealand coast.

His arrival completes Leg Three from South Africa, with all of the competitors safely in port.

The boat looked to be in perfect condition, but Paris spoke of a potential problem.

"Shortly after leaving Tasmania we hit something," he said. "It was not a hard bang, but a solid one and one that may have damaged my keel.

"There is some damage inside the boat so I am anxious to see what the bottom looks like."

Paris, his wife Becky and son Tucker plan a few days off before he begins Leg Four in 11 days' time.