The race committee orchestrating the 74th edition of the Star Bacardi Cup struggled with fickle, six-knot winds on Biscayne Bay and 96 over-anxious Star boats, but after four general recalls they managed to complete the inaugural race in this venerable regatta. In a tight finish, Bermudians Peter Bromby and Lee White shot the line just ahead of Brits Ian Walker and crew Mark Covell to clinch the Race-1 victory.

Twenty different countries make up the fleet, which saw Spanairds Jose Van der Ploeg and Rafa Trufullo take third, just ahead of Marc Pickel and Thomas Auracher from Germany, with Mark Neelman and Jos Schrier of the Netherlands in fifth. Star Class veteran Bill Buchan and crew Scott Leppert finished seventh as the top American team in the first race.

Among the entries in the Bacardi Cup are most of the serious teams that will by vying for a berth on the U.S. Olympic Team. The U.S. Olympic Trials for the Star Class take place next month at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco (April 6-16). Racing in the Bacardi Cup continues through Friday.