Peter Bromby’s title hopes suffered another setback after he lost further ground on leader Peter Wickwire on the third day of racing at the IOD World Championship in Marblehead, Massachusetts, on Tuesday.

The former Bermuda Olympic sailor started the day in second, six points adrift of Wickwire, but was unable to close the gap on his American rival after posting a 5,9 record in the two races contested on Marblehead Harbour alongside crew Bill McNiven, Ron Stan, Rick Echard and Martin Siese.

Wickwire, a four-times Bermuda International Invitational Race Week winner, now has a nine-point lead at the summit after discarding his worst finish (sixth) with four races remaining in the ten-race series.

Bromby, who is making his first appearance in the regatta in 30 years, already has three IOD world titles under his belt and is the only skipper to have won the regatta three years on the trot.

Charlie Van Voorhis, four-times IOD world champion, sits in third, three points behind Bromby.

Kelsey Durham, the other skipper flying Bermuda’s banner at the regatta, also lost ground in the standings despite producing a first top-three finish with crew Adam Barboza, Heath Foggo, Joanne Rogers and Michael Richold.

Durham posted a 2, 8 record on the IOD racing sloop but slipped two places from seventh to ninth in the 12-strong fleet.

“Started off great finishing the first race with a second,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“Last race was looking really good. But like the rest of the days couldn’t get on the right side of the shift. Very frustrating sailing conditions out here.

“From ninth to third is only seven points, which isn’t much at all. That shows how inconsistent everyone has been and how tough the competition is.”

The fleet had the day off on Wednesday, with racing to resume on Thursday.

To ensure a level playing field teams change boats after every race, while owners are prohibited from sailing their own boat.

Eastern Yacht Club are hosting this year’s IOD World Championship, which concludes on Friday.