Bacardi Cup Star Class, Miami- O'Leary and Milne (IRL) win Race 3

by Miami Sailing Week on 11 Mar 2010 Ireland's Peter O'Leary and Stephen Milne won race 3 of the Bacardi Miami Sailing Week Star Class. Wind conditions increased slightly later in the afternoon to about a 10 knot high in a field that was spread out in comparison to the tight group yesterday.

With three more days of Star Class sailing to go in the Bacardi Cup, Wednesday's midway point has U.S. Team Horton-Lyne in first place overall with Ireland's Skipper Peter O'Leary and Crew Stephen Milne taking second. Yesterday's leader, American Skipper Rick Merriman and Crew Phil Trinter faded slightly with a still solid third place finish today while Brazilian Skipper Lars Grael with Crew Ronald Seifort placed fourth and first day victors American Augie Diaz alongside sailing phenomenon Crew Bruno Prada came in fifth place overall to round out the top five in the Bacardi Cup standings.

'The breeze was light again today, but we're expecting the wind to become stronger later in the week with the weather. Today, the real challenge was getting over to the wind, which was tough today, but we managed to spring out of jail and really get out there,' comments Skipper Andy Horton. 'We're trying to approach this like any big regatta by really staying focused and not being too risky. This is a strong fleet of competitors and you have be careful out there. The breeze is supposed to pick up a bit later this week and we're going to continue to try to do our best and see where we are at Saturday.'

Wednesday marked the third of six total days of Star Class sailing as competitors reach the halfway point in Bacardi Cup competition. The Bacardi Cup will run on Biscayne Bay through Saturday, March 13th as the flagship event for the inaugural Bacardi Miami Sailing Week.

The day's sailing also included the start of the Viper 640 class competition for the Pan-American Championships at Bacardi Miami Sailing Week. The Viper 640 victory today went to U.S. Team Skipper Barry Parkin, who came out on top in the 21 vessel field alongside Crew John Logue and Sue Parkin. Viper 640 competition will continue through Saturday, March 13th.

Look for more Bacardi Cup Star Class competition continuing tomorrow along with the Viper class through Saturday. Bacardi Miami Sailing Week will also host J24, Melges20, and Melges24 classes beginning tomorrow.

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