Star Class Barcardi Cup at Miami Sailing Week - Day 4

Horton and Lyne hold on to top spot

Continuing a run tempered by cautious optimism in a field of highly skilled Star Class teams, Skipper Andy Horton and Crew James Lyne once again remained on top in today's overall standings after the fourth day of the BACARDI Cup. Placing first yesterday overall and then again today in a session marked by steady increased wind that tapered off towards the end of the day, the U.S. Team was able to keep the top spot in standings as Italian Skipper Diego Negri and Crew Nando Colaninno won the day's first place victory, helping the team ascend to number six overall. With many top contenders working hard to keep in the race for the BACARDI Cup, Thursday saw Ireland's Skipper Peter O'Leary and Crew Stephen Milne again stay in second place overall, with American Skipper Rick Merriman and Crew Phil Trinter also remaining where they were yesterday again today in third. Brazilian Team Grael-Seifert also stayed put in fourth with U.S. Team McChesney-Zwingelberg holding onto fifth.

"Going into it, just like yesterday, we wanted another top ten finish today. Luckily, James and I were able to get past a bad start where we struggled a bit at first, and were able to make a good comeback. We just kept pushing, staying focused, and all of a sudden we found ourselves gaining ground and able to slide in for a strong finish," comments Skipper Andy Horton. "We're pleased but also know after tomorrow's race, everyone gets to throw out their poorest finish, which is really going to change the field dramatically. After tomorrow, everyone's going to get a whole lot closer. Hopefully we'll sail another good race. All we can do is see where everyone lands after that."

In addition to the Star Class competition for the BACARDI Cup, the Viper 640 Pan-American Championship at BACARDI Miami Sailing Week continued with American Skipper Lee Shuckerow and Crew Brad Boston and Eric Vigrass edging out Wednesday's winners for the top spot overall. U.S. Skipper Barry Parkin and Crew John Logue and Sue Parkin were able to settle for a still solid second place finish in the twenty-one boat Viper field.

As for other classes out for their first day of sailing on Biscayne Bay, Skipper Jeff Ecklund was able to get the top spot in the Melges 20 standings in his boat STAR, among fifteen competitors while American Skipper Donald Wilson and his crew were able to take their boat Convexity to the top of class in Melges 24 with ten vessels competing. In the J24 class, Scouts' Pride Skipper Patricia Walker and her crew were able to steer their way into the top spot in a six boat field.

Results after Day 4: