With 12 to 18 knot north-northwesterly breezes sweeping across the Great Sound, the likelihood of boats colliding with each other during yesterday's opening day of the 2008 Bermuda International Invitational Race Week was always a threat

And so it came as no real surprise when Vrengen Gold Cup hopeful Jordy Walker tested fate and paid the penalty for swapping paint with rival International One Design (IOD) skipper Dan Faria who was forced to retire early under protest after damaging his rigging in the mishap that occurred on the final windward leg during yesterday's third race.

Walker eventually finished eighth in the race after completing the two mandatory 360 degree penalty turns for colliding with Faria - who had the right of way on a starboard side tack - and remains in seventh position in the overall points standings with ten races to go.

"I think we managed to get rid of the bad luck all in one day," Walker said. "We were going along well and then bang . . . the guy came across and passed on top of us. He was too close and we nicked his back stay and took it right out of his boat.

"He had the right of way and so we had to do two 360 turns which got us dizzy before we finished the race."

Having had the wind virtually knocked out of his sails, Faria was left with no option other than to limp to shore with his damaged vessel where he later filed a protest in the hope of obtaining vital redress points.

Never one to get bent all out of shape, Walker took matters all in stride despite having earlier paid a costly price for his transgressions on the high seas with a top three finish, or better, well within striking distance.

"It added a little spice to the day," he smiled. "But I'm a free man . . . . I've done my penalty and now look forward to a better day tomorrow (today)."

American Jonathan Telsey currently leads the IOD fleet after posting two seconds yesterday followed by compatriot Bruce Dyson (nine points) and Norways Jan Petter Roed (12 points).

KF Trimingham hopefuls Peter Bromby and Tim Patton both struggled yesterday.

Bromby had two fourths and a fifth while Patton managed to place sixth in the first race before a broken boom sent the veteran Etchells skipper heading inshore for an early shower.

American Chris Burch is the current Etchells leader, closely followed by Bermuda's Martin Vezina who sailed consistently to post a bullet, a second and a third place finish to keep pace with the leader.

American CV Voorhis sits further back in third.

Bermuda's Allan Williams picked up where he left off last year. The defending Spring Regatta champion had two seconds yesterday which catapulted him to top of the overall J-105 points standings.

Bermudians also stamped their authority all over the Bravo course yesterday where Brett Wright (Lasers) and Trevor Boyce (J-24s) issued ominous warnings to all those who oppose after scoring two bullets each in their respective classes.