While Swiss sailor Bernard Stamm was popping the cork on a champagne bottle yesterday in England, having led the fleet home on the first leg of the Around Alone race, Bermuda's Alan Paris was still off the North American coast - 11 days after setting sail from New York.

Racing in Class Two, Paris started the day last out of the six boats in that class as a lack of wind continued to frustrate his ambitions. However, by yesterday afternoon, there was some promising word on his progress by those monitoring his race here.

"He e-mailed this morning (yesterday) and said he finally got some wind so he is moving again. Unfortunately, for the last two or three days, there has been no wind on the Grand Bay (off Nova Scotia, Canada) so he has just been sitting there," explained Crystal Schultz at Paris' race headquarters at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI).

The 37-year-old sailor himself gave a detailed account of his frustrations in his on-line captain's log. In his Tuesday Internet instalment, he joked that his vessel, BTC Velocity, was so stationary that a bird paddled past him, saying "Get over, you're blocking the way".

"There are two options here. I can go completely nuts waiting for wind or try and find some humour in the situation. I am on the humour option now, but it's close.

"This is day two of effectively no wind. From noon yesterday (Monday) until noon today (Tuesday) I have gone 57 nm (nautical miles) closer to Torbay. This is the second-worst daily mileage I have ever had. When was the worst, you ask? That was yesterday (Monday) when the number was 52 nm closer to Torbay.

"There is more bad news. I don't see any change for 24 to 36 more hours. This is unimaginable torture. I have been making all sorts of promises to the weather gods but they are unimpressed," continued Paris' log, adding that he had read two books in three days to pass time.

Meanwhile, Stamm, competing on Bobst Group-Armor Lux in Class One, crossed the finish line in Torbay Harbour on the southwest coast of England at 11.33 a.m. Bermuda time yesterday to claim victory in the first of five race legs. The Around Alone race began on September 15.

It was a fast crossing in his Pierre Roland Open 60 craft as Stamm, tired but jubilant, set a new transatlantic solo record earlier yesterday when he passed Lizard Point in England.

"I am very excited to hold a new record and to win this first leg. I have been preparing my boat for the last year and the hard work has paid off," said the winner who lost power three days ago, forcing him to hand-steer the remainder of the journey.

Second-place finisher, Thierry Dubois, aboard Solidaires, was expected to finish around 8 p.m. Bermuda time last night.

A wide-cross section of Bermuda's sailing fraternity, both classes and clubs, will be represented in the Bacardi Cup this weekend.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Sandys Boat Club, Spanish Point Boat Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club all have reason to be cheering as racing takes place in Hamilton Harbour tomorrow and Sunday in what will be the local qualifier for the upcoming international Gold Cup match racing regatta.

The full list of Bacardi Cup entries:

1 Glenn Astwood, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

2 Adam Barboza, International Etchells Class (defending champion)

3 Peter Bromby, Sandys Boat Club

4 Paula Lewin, Yngling Class

5 Mike Lewis, Spanish Point Boat Club

6 Todd Olson, J/24 Class

7 Peter Ramsdale, Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club

8 Blythe Walker, International One Design Class.