Bermuda’s Penny Simmons made a promising start in his bid for a seventh IOD World Championship in yesterday’s blustery conditions in the Great Sound.The Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame skipper posted finishes of second and eighth in the two races sailed in 18-25 south, south west breezes to place himself in early contention.Simmons currently sits third behind leader Matt Linblad (Marblehead fleet) and second- placed Ian McNeice (Nantucket fleet).“It was good, close competition and nice breeze and the race went well,” the veteran skipper said. “I’m pleased with the start and we just have to stay out of trouble and sail our own race.”It proved to be a case of smooth sailing for Simmons and crew (Matthew Cairney, Steve Mohr, D’Arcey Betschart and Steven King) who capitalised on a clean start to claim second in the opening race behind winner Linblad.However, the local team lost momentum right at the start of the second race when they were forced to make a penalty turn after tacking too close to a rival boat.“That didn’t help the situation too much,” Simmons said. “We have to learn to start clear and avoid all those types of situations.”Also enduring mixed fortunes on the seven-legged, eight-mile racecourse was Rick Thompson, the only other local skipper in the fleet.Thompson and crew (Roy DeSilva and Kim and Sandy Yellott) crossed the line third in the first race but fell off the pace after finishing 11th in the second.The local skipper, who is representing the Chester, Nova Scotia fleet, won the start in the second race but was involved in a three-boat pile up on the first windward beat.Thompson filed a protest to the race jury over the mishap. However, his protest fell on deaf ears to leave him in ninth spot.“It was unfortunate because we were sailing well and had great start,” Thompson said. “The sailing Gods were just not with us in that race.”Setting the early pace is Linblad who is sharing the helm with nine-time IOD World Champion and frequent visitor Bill Widnall.Linblad posted solid finishes of first and second at the helm yesterday for a flying start.He led from start to finish in the first race but had some nervous moments in the second after encountering problems with his spinnaker on the final leeward run.“The spinnaker just kept popping out of the cleat and it was a really windy run,” he said. “Just keeping the boat from rocking and rolling was critical.”Two-time defending IOD World Champion Elliott Wislar (Long Island Sound fleet) is currently fourth in the standings.Wislar, who is bidding to become the second skipper behind Bermuda’s Peter Bromby to win three consecutive IOD World Championships, posted finishes of eighth and third yesterday to keep within striking distance of the lead pack.The American did well to finish in the top half of the fleet in the first race after being forced to make a penalty turn for infringing upon Charlie Van Voorhis (Fishers Island) coming off the start line.“That put us back in the pack but we made it back somewhat,” said Wislar, who sailing with daughter MacKenzie.Wislar managed a better start in the second race but was again forced to make up ground after sailing into a hole on the first windward beat.“We were on the wrong side of the first shift but held it together,” he said. “The crew work was just spectacular.”Norway’s Martin Rygh won yesterday’s second race to bounce back from a last place finish in the first.Racing continues today.