While Paula Lewin closed in on the leaders, Peter Bromby slipped off the pace as the Island's premier sailors continued their bid for glory in Germany.

Lewin had been in ninth position after four races in the Yngling class at Kiele Week - a massive regatta in the north of the country featuring more than 5,000 boats. And she continued to rise up the leaderboard with her next three results, a seventh, second and a 21st.

With her crew of sister Peta Lewin and Klaartje Zuiderban, Lewin has amassed 52 points and is nine adrift of Italy's Giulia Conti in third. Anna Basalkina of Russia is a further two points behind the Bermudian.

Denmark's Dorte Jensen continues to head the field with 18 points after adding a first, fifth and a fourth to her total.

Meanwhile, Bromby's surge towards the top has been becalmed. Looking to pick up where he and crew Martin Siese left off during last month's Spa Regatta in Medemblik, Netherlands, where they placed third, the pair had possession of the bronze spot heading into the latest round of races.

However, for one reason or another, things did not work out as planned and the Olympian and his colleague found themselves in lowly 23rd spot after registering a pair of 44th place finishes for a total of 97 points.

Italy Pietro D'Ali leads the way with 30 points, wresting the lead from Germany's Marc Pickel who now has 33.

The third Islander at the event, Laser sailor, Zander Kirkland improved on his 37th place among a strong fleet of 152 international entries.

This year's Laser entries have been divided into four groups for the qualifying round to keep the numbers manageable on the start line.

In the latest rounds Kirkland came in 12th, sixth, 12th and tenth to move up to 32nd spot on 55 points.

Reflecting on Thursday's results Kirkland said: "Generally, it was a good day.

"I managed three good starts, actually four. I am sailing very well downwind in the seven to 15 knot breezes. The big chop kind of hurt me though sailing upwind."

The first race in the Laser class was abandoned, much to the Bermudian's annoyance.

"It shouldn't have been abandoned," said Kirkland. "I was up the first beat and was in the top five."

Bermuda's AJ Crane, who attends Tufts University, in Massachusetts, has been named an All-American in the latest honours list announced by the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association of North America (ICSA).

The ICSA recognises individuals with exceptional racing records for the college sailing year (fall and spring seasons) just concluded.