Sunfish crown yesterday.

Smith, a silver medallist in last July's Pan American Games in Winnipeg where he sailed Lasers, grabbed two seconds and a third to climb from 66th place after the first race.

Smith, who may be sailing his last major regatta because of family commitments, was 34 points behind the leader -- and his major rival -- Eduardo Cordero of Venezuela.

Cordero won the first and third races and placed 28th and ninth in the other two to stand at the head of the 102-boat fleet with 39 points.

Smith found his form after racing had been postponed for most of the week as Hurricane Lenny passed by the venue in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

The regatta was due to wrap up on Saturday, but with rules stipulating that at least five of the eight races must be completed for it to constitute a world championships it was unknown whether Smith still had a chance to win.

If he was able to drop his poorest performance, he could slip above the four competitors above him in to first place.