A weak frontal system passed over southern Florida Monday night producing gusty, northeasterly winds on Miami?s Biscayne Bay that juiced up the action in Tuesday?s racing at the annual Star Class Bacardi Cup. Coming off the mainland, the 12- to 15-knot breezes created shifty conditions for the 96 teams racing, and presented an opportunity for some big changes in the standings.

San Diegan Vince Brun and his crew Mike Dorgan took advantage of the elements and employed strong course management to race to a first-place finish. Coupled with a 33rd posted in the first race, they now stand in 15th place. Brun was followed across the finish line by Australians Colin Beashel and David Giles in second, and Germans Marc Pickel and Thomas Auracher in third. Pickel and Auracher now lead the regatta with a 4-3 finish combination in the two days of racing, followed by the Spanish team of Jose van der Ploeg and Rafa Trujillo with a 3-5.

Also looking strong in the competition are New Zealanders Gavin Brady and Jamie Gale, whose scores of 6-8 put them in third overall, tied with Irish team of Mark Mansfield and Dan Brien (8-6). The top American team in the standings, Eric Doyle and Tom Olsen (the current World Champions in the class), have 18 points and stand in sixth place. Behind them, Peter Vasella of San Francisco and his crew Brian Fatih own a combined 21 points, good enough for eighth place. The committee may elect to sail two races today to make up for Sunday?s cancellation.