54 boats after one race in the Bacardi Cup being held in Key Biscayne, Florida.

Competing in the Star Class along a triangular Olympic course -- windward, leeward, windward -- Bromby and White suffered through four general recalls by the fleet where they got off the line well only to have the races restarted.

And when everyone finally did get a clean start the local pair produced their worst of the five, being pushed to the right side of the course and watching as those to the left surged ahead.

"We had a game plan which we didn't stick to and it kind of backfired on us,'' said Bromby from his hotel room in Miami. "We had planned to go left, but with the bad start got forced to the right.'' Using his familiarity with the course and conditions Bromby continually made up ground on the competition on each leg despite light breezes of just 4-8 knots.

He described the winds as "flukey'' and indicated a possibility of advancing even further up the standings with a few protests by rival skippers still pending.

Occupying the lead at this early stage is a German named Hellmich followed by American Ron Sandstrom, Don Campbell of Canada in third and another American John Kostecki in the fourth spot.

Locals will be familiar with Kostecki for his visit last year to the Island as a crewman for Paul Cayard, second in the Omega Gold Cup held in Hamilton Harbour.

Racing continues today through until Friday with a total of six races, but only five counting toward the final totals.

Bromby, who was seventh last year at this regatta, is using the same boat he and Paul Fisher guided during the Barcelona Olympics.

A top-20 placing is what he and White have set as a goal for this meet as they strive to grow into a cohesive unit.

"I'm pretty anxious for tomorrow's race,'' said Bromby. "I think we have a good chance of coming in the top 20.''