PONCE, Puerto Rico -- Stevie Dickinson and Peter Bromby are back in contention for sailing medals in the Central American and Caribbean Games, just two days after disqualifications seemingly ruined their hopes in Fajardo.

Dickinson was first in the Snipe class and Bromby second in the J24s to set the stage for an interesting last two days of racing today and tomorrow.

Dickinson, with a non-start and then a disqualification in his first two races, looks the best bet for a medal after winning race three of a shortened five-race series by almost a minute yesterday.

The win lifts Dickinson to fourth overall in the seven-boat fleet and he is now every much in medal contention depending on how he performs this weekend.

The 32-year-old, who is crewed by Heath Foggo, is just four points out of third place and nine out of second.

He would have been in an even better position had it not been for a protest against him on Wednesday that was upheld and led to the disqualification. He finished that race in second place but was penalised for an altercation at the start with one of the Puerto Ricans. Instead of being assessed three points for the second-place finish he got 14 for the disqualification.

Bromby, too, bounced back from a disqualification on Wednesday to stay in contention in the J24 class.

In his own words on Wednesday night "it (disqualification) took us out of serious medal contention,'' but suddenly the world-ranked skipper and his four-man crew of Lee White, Buddy Rego, Steven King and Dennis Correia have an outside chance at the bronze.

Presently, Bromby trails the third-placed skipper from Mexico by 20 points but he also has a throw-out race.

Bromby's disqualification came after an altercation with one of the Mexican boats. "I'd have to have three good races,'' Bromby said on the lay day on Thursday.

The second-place finish yesterday has given him something to aim for as he heads into the final two races still seventh overall.

"We've led every race at one point and today was no exception,'' said Bromby last night. "We lost the lead at the top of the windward mark (on the third of seven legs) but were in a comfortable second the rest of the way.

"On the whole this was by far our most comfortable race. We tacked better and hit the wind shifts much better. The guys who were first and second overall were seventh and 12th today, so it's being cracked wide open. One through seven can change at any time.'' Bromby also found the conditions to his liking. "It rained just about the whole race but the seas were a lot flatter and that's been our major downfall -- the seas,'' he explained.

"I really feel we can be a force in any conditions.'' Glen Astwood and Malcolm Smith are also still in contention despite their worst day of sailing so far.

In the Hobie 16 class, Astwood withdrew early in the race after fouling another boat at the start. The result still leaves him fifth overall while the other local representative in that class, Jay Kempe, is seventh overall.

Fortunately for Astwood, there is a clause in the rules, which stipulates that no country can win all three medals in any one class. In this class, the top three spots are held by Puerto Rican skippers.

In the case of a top-three sweep, the fourth-placed boat would take the bronze. Presently, Astwood is 14 points out of fourth.

Smith had a 12th yesterday in the Laser class but, like Astwood, remains in fifth place.

"I didn't have the greatest of races.'' said Smith, whose 58.40 points is seven points out of fourth place and 17 out of third. "It was my worst race to date. I didn't have a good start and was squeezed out. I went to the right to clear air and when I was coming back the wind backed on us.

"I've had all kinds of conditions but I've been pretty consistent in all of them. I have as good a chance as anybody. The Cubans are faltering now.'' Smith actually finished the race 13th but Cuba's Osvaldo Padron, who was leading the regatta with three firsts and a ninth, was disqualified and finds himself third overall. That enabled Smith to move up to 12th.

Bermudian Brett Wright was eighth yesterday and is 15th overall amongst 18 boats.

The women's hockey team suffered another heavy defeat yesterday when they went down 9-0 to Cuba after trailing only 3-0 at the half. The day before, Cuba lost their unbeaten record in a 2-0 loss to Barbados.

STEVIE DICKINSON -- Has a good chance at a medal in the Snipe class.