cancellation of all except one race in the Omega Gold Cup quarter-finals, but not before four skippers, including Bermuda's Peter Bromby, were able to seize 1-0 advantages in their best-of-five series.

"It reminded me of sailing back in San Francisco Bay where it was like being in an open top submarine with the water just pouring in,'' commented Paul Cayard at the afternoon Press conference.

Nevertheless, International One Design world champion Bromby, known as a master of the stronger breezes, thrived in gusts reaching upwards of 30 knots as he beat reigning world match racing champion Russell Coutts by 25 seconds.

Accompanying him in taking early initiatives were Kiwi Chris Dickson, who rolled over Jorg Diesch of Germany, Paul Cayard, a winner against fellow American Ed Baird and Dutchman Roy Heiner, who sailed uncontested after his opponent, Eddie Warden-Owen's boat suffered damage to its boom forcing his withdrawal.

"I think maybe our boat handling was a bit better today than Coutts', particularly through the tacks,'' said Bromby, one of two unseeded skippers in the quarter-finals. "I think that we were tacking faster, which maybe neutralised one of his weapons which would be the tacks.

"I think we're been going through the water all right and probably we've been getting to the proper spots before the other guys, staying in the breeze and picking the right shifts as well.'' Bromby made one mistake yesterday when he got caught behind Coutts' stern on the first windward leg, but he was able to counter a tack by the New Zealander to lead at the mark and never look back.

With the success he had in that one race Bromby was not so happy over the cancellation, but realised the propensity for damage to the crafts.

Said Bromby: "I'm not glad that they called it off because I think that obviously we had his number today, but I think that the bottom line is that we probably shouldn't have been out there in the first place.

"I think the winds showed some weaknesses on his boat and his boat handling wasn't what I expected it to be. It has certainly raised our confidence level and will let us sleep more comfortably and hopefully disturb his a bit.'' Coutts, currently second in the world rankings, summarily heaped praise on the Bermudian and his crew for their efforts but noted that there is still quite a ways to go.

"They showed us that in these conditions and any other they are a force to be reckoned with,'' said Coutts. "And if we're going to beat him we're definitely going to have to pull our socks up.'' Meanwhile, Dickson, rated the world's best and the man everyone is gunning for, had a tough time battling the elements, but found the wherewithal needed to subdue Diesch , the other non-seed, crossing the finish line a whopping 45 seconds ahead.

Engaging in a closer battle were Cayard and Baird, with the former edging home 13 seconds in front.

However, credit goes to Baird whose crew spent much time before the start and during the race struggling to repair a damaged boom vang, losing valuable time and distance to his adversary before eventually failing.

In the day's other match-up, Warden-Owen was already trailing Heiner when his boom broke and was left to pick up the pieces before resuming today as they attempt to complete the series.

The semifinals will get under way upon the completion of the quarters today, and the finals will be held on Sunday.

THAT'S ONE -- Peter Bromby acknowledges Russell Coutts after winning their first race yesterday. The completion of the quarter-final series was postponed until today because of high winds.