The final event on the World Match Racing Tour, the Monsoon Cup, is taking place this week in Kuala Terengganu on the east coast of Malaysia with some of the world's top sailors vying for the overall title.

Leading the regatta after the first day were four skippers, all of whom are in the running for the 2009 crown.

Australian Torvar's Mirsky Racing Team, New Zealander Adam Minoprio's Blackmatch ETNZ, Australian Peter Gilmour's Yanmar Racing and Brit Ben Ainslie's Team Origin all sit with three wins and one loss.

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Ainslie put himself in position for the overall title in Hamilton Harbour in October when he beat Minoprio in the Argo Group Gold Cup final to take the $50,000 first prize.

Yesterday's first round saw the team who won the start hold their lead and generally finish ahead.

"It's a pretty one way track placing a lot of emphasis on the start' said BlackMatch bowman Nick Blackman who managed to edge a win over Team Origin in the last race of the day.

Mirsky enjoyed a successful day as he defeated Azzurra, All4One and current world champion Ian Williams and Team Pindar.

Team French Spirit, helmed by Mathieu Richard, but up a good fight against Mirsky as they started with a slight advantage and won the right hand side of the course. Showing why he is ranked number three in the world, Richard didn't let up as he defended his lead around the course to finish ahead of Mirsky to hand them their first loss of the regatta.

"It was a solid start to the regatta today, to share the leaderboard overnight with the other tour contenders is important for us," said Mirsky.

"The win in the Australia Cup has given us some confidence and we are happy with how our teamwork is developing so far. We still need to take it one race at a time though as each race is very important."

First day standings

Adam Minoprio (NZL) ENTZ/Black Match Racing 3-1

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing 3-1

Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 3-1

Ben Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin 3-1

Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 3-2

Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/ALL4ONE 2-1

Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 2-2

Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 2-2

Francesco Bruni (ITA) Team Azzura 1-3

Phil Robertson (NZL) Team New Zealand WAKA Racing 1-3

Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar 1-3

Hazwan Hazim Dermanwan (MAS) Tarian Pelangi TESA 0-4