Bill McNiven’s title defence in the International One Design class remains on track at Bermuda International Invitational Race Week.

The local helmsman trails leader Hanna Vincent, of the United States, by a solitary point after four races in the A-series for the Jordy Walker Memorial Trophy in the Great Sound.

“It’s a really competitive field and no one team is running away with it, so I am satisfied with where we are,” McNiven told The Royal Gazette. “We’re doing OK.”

North American IOD champion McNiven and crew Martin Siese, Patrick Cooper, Andrew Butterworth and Melinda Bessey are gunning for a fourth straight title this year.

Courtney Jenkins, also of the United States, sits in third a farther five points adrift of the leader.

Adam Barboza claimed the first title up for grabs with a dominant display in the J105 class on Sunday.

The experienced local sailor won three races and finished no lower than third in the five-race series to top the leaderboard with six points.

“When you get the opportunity to compete against probably Bermuda's best sailor in history in Peter Bromby and his crew, you want to take advantage of every chance you get,” Barboza said. “Our team did a great job and we were fortunate to string together some good races to pull out the win.

“Thanks should go to the other J105 competitors who came out and competed well. It made for some fun and competitive racing.

“It was beautiful day to be out sailing and thanks to the race management team for fitting in five great races.”

Barboza competed alongside crew Tre Maxwell, Butch Agnew, Michael Wollmann, George Buckley, Aiden McPhail and wife Debbie.

Four-times Bermuda Olympian Bromby, who posted two firsts and a second, pipped compatriot Kelsey Durham for second on a tie-break after the pair remained deadlocked on ten points.