The all-teenage J-24 team comprised of skipper Lance Fraser, Jason Saints, James Anfossi and Catalina Sposato stole the thunder during yesterday's opening day of Bermuda International Invitational Race Week in the Great Sound.

Fraser and crew posted back-to-back second-place finishes to grab a share of the lead and will undoubtedly look to carry on in the same vein when racing resumes today.

"Racing was very close and we are pleased with the day's performance. Hopefully we can build upon this good start," the Warwick Academy head boy told The Royal Gazette.

He praised his crew for helping to get him around the race course in shifty conditions that forced race officials to alter the course.

"We had really great crew work today," Fraser added.

The youngsters were narrowly pipped by joint J-24 leader Tim Lynch for line honours in the first race, the latter prevailing by less than a boat length at the finish.

"I was coming in on port and he was on starboard and I tacked right next to him but he just had a bit more speed than me and beat me across the line. He was just faster," Fraser acknowledged.

However, the roles were reversed in the second race as Fraser and crew held off Lynch in another close battle to the windward finish.

"We actually beat Tim by a couple of feet. It was really close racing all day," the teenager added.

Elsewhere yesterday, local skipper Somers Kempe staked a strong claim for bragging rights in the International One Design (IOD) fleet. After three races, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club sailor leads the IODs by two points over Hubert Watlington.

Another local, James MacDonald, is current joint leader in the J-105 class while compatriots Tim Patton and Malcolm Smith lead the Etchells and Laser fleets

Full first day results, see Scoreboard