Robert Mulderig?s Starr Trail was again the first boat back to Bermuda in the Marion race, but her story was not a happy one this time around.

The Farr 72 was first across the line in 2003 but a ripped sail and a lack of breeze meant Mulderig had to bring his vessel in under motor, a sad end following a lightning quick start.

Starr Trail led from the start on Friday and was leading both her class and the monohull fleet after the first day.

A ripped light air sail was not proving an issue at first as the weather was favourable for the Bermudian skipper going into the Gulf Stream.

But once they were through it, they hit an area of light breeze that simply refused to fill in, leaving Mulderig with a boat going nowhere fast.

?It is a real shame, but I was left with no choice,? admitted Mulderig, who has never withdrawn from an ocean crossing before.

?It is very disappointing for all of us. Like everyone else, we put a lot of preparation into doing this race and for it to end like this is a shame for everyone.

?But it was very light wind and we just didn?t have the sails for it. We would have been stranded out there for a while so we had to make a decision and the decision was to motor in.

?It is not a nice way to end the race but I don?t think there was an alternative given the circumstances.?

The withdrawal is all the more disappointing due to the manner of Starr Trail?s start, the boat flew away from its class A rivals in fabulous conditions from Buzzards Bay - a lead which was to last until the drop off in air ruined their trip.

?We had a great start, just what we had been looking for,? added Mulderig.

?We were going so well but these are the sort of things that can happen. We cut our losses and there will be another day for us.?

Last night at 8.15 p.m., the naval vessel Mameluke was the first to cross the finish line in the monohull class.

The 49ft sloop, manned by Naval Academy midshipmen and experienced coaches, arrived off St. David?s Lighthouse at sunset yesterday to claim line honours in the conventional class.

Champagne sprayed and there was plenty of American-style whooping, hugging and cheering - not to mention the hoisting of the Stars and Stripes.

The next boat in was Hawke, which including local Francis Carter among the crew.

The J-46 was the first A class boat home, the same class as Starr Trail and media star Geraldo Rivera?s Voyager.

A flotilla of other boats were crossing the line last night with another swathe expected to arrive home early this morning and throughout the day.

Still at sea is Babe, skippered by Colin Couper and with Governor Sir John Vereker among her crew.

The remainder are expected in tomorrow.