Urologic surgeon Jonathan Telsey celebrated his 41st birthday in style on local waters yesterday, doing just enough to pip fellow American Bruce Dyson for the International One Design (IOD) 'A' Series title.

By his own admission, Telsey did not enjoy one of his better performances in the Great Sound.

But with a sizeable lead to his advantage heading into yesterday's third day of 2008 Bermuda International Invitational Race Week, all the Maine-based skipper needed to do was sail consistently.

And he did just that, despite surrendering terrific starts all day and breaking his tiller extension in the second race.

"We had a pretty decent lead coming into today and our game plan was just to stay out of trouble and try and be consistent towards the front of the pack - but it didn't really work out that way," Telsey told The Royal Gazette.

"We had some issues with the boat today . . . it didn't feel as though she was sailing well in light air where we had some problems accelerating on points and tacks and also had a breakdown in the second race.

"The first two races were tough and we didn't do very well. And so it was a little nerve wracking.

"We started all of our races well today; I think we were definitely one of the top boats off the start in all three races."

Telsey placed 13th, eighth and second in yesterday's three races before holding off Dyson for the title by a single point after discarding his worst finish (13th).

"We just hung in there sailing against some really great people," he added

"Some of these people are sail makers and boat builders and get to be by the water all day. But I'm not as fortunate because I'm usually in the operating room taking care of patients."

With the 'A' Series title safely in the bag, Telsey can now turn his attention to capturing the Vrengen Gold Cup that is awarded to the eventual overall winner in the IOD class at the end of Race Week.

The surprise package in the IODs was the re-emergence of Bermuda's Jordy Walker who made his presence felt with back-to-back wins in yesterday's opening two races.

It was also a case of smooth sailing for veteran skipper Trevor Boyce (seven points) whose current form suggests he's having things all his own way in the J-24s.

The New Zealand-born skipper was unflappable, winning all three races to widen his lead atop the points standings over nearest rivals Peter Backeberg (24) and Sue Wallace (28) after the first of two drops.

Underlining Boyce's dominance after eight races is the fact he has placed no lower than second thus far and is threatening to run away uncontested with class honours.

Meanwhile, Bermuda's Allan Williams (15 points) continues to lead the J-105 class closely shadowed by countrymen James MacDonald and Adam Barboza who trail the leader by a slim three-points.

In the Etchells, Peter Bromby's steady climb up the leaderboard was interrupted in the final race when he strayed off course after mistakenly interpreting a signal from the committee boat as a call for a change of course.

The former Olympian filed a protest - but later withdrew his request for a redress.

If it was any consolation, Bromby (26) won yesterday's opening race and still remains in contention six -points adrift of leader Chris Busch (26) and compatriot Martin Vezina (24) with two drops still to come.

In the Lasers, defending champion Malcolm Smith (14) maintains a five-point lead over Brett Wright (19) after one drop with Stevie Dickson (20) a further point adrift in third.