The Gods didn't look favourably upon the Island on day three of International Invitational Race Week, leaving competitors, officials and spectators all stewing on the glass-like calm of the Great Sound.

Indeed, Aeolus, the Greek God of Wind, must have had other matters to attend, his absence forcing the cancellation of all but three of the 14 scheduled races.

There was, however, one silver lining to the proceedings as the first champion was realised in the spectre of Bruce Dyson, who seized the International One Design `A' Championship with a second place finish, edging fellow American Courtenay Jenkins by a single point.

Painful as it was to watch, with boats and their crews struggling desperately in the lull, Dyson couldn't help but feel a raging satisfaction over the accomplishment.

"It feels pretty good, but it wasn't easy,'' said Dyson, who back in 1999 took the Vrengen Gold Cup as the overall points leader in the class. "The boats are very even, people are sailing well and we were just lucky today in being able to pull a second out of the hat, out of that fluky weather.

"It's been a wonderful series and really fun.'' Still ahead lies much work for Dyson at the Bacardi-sponsored event, with the Norwegian `B' Series on tap and the overall yet to be decided. And Dyson was optimistic yet fully cognizant of the task that awaits.

"Luckily my draw is for two very good boats, so I think our chances are good for the rest of the regatta,'' he said. "But there are a lot of good sailors out there that we have to beat.'' Jan Petter Roed of Norway notched his first bullet of the week, followed by Dyson and Peter McCausland.

Among the Etchells, Peter Bromby once again reigned supreme, tightening the noose on the rest of the fleet as he opened up a four and a half point lead on American John Kenerson. Bromby has five and a half points compared to 10 for Kenerson and 17 apiece for Andreas Lewin and Dave Smalley.

Five Etchells failed to finish within the alloted time limit and were given DNF scores, with Lewin, Paul Fisher, Tim Patton, Tim Lynch and Dick Hodgson falling victim to the rule.

Sean McDermott continued his march among the J-24 fleet, recording another first, with Don Wagoner of the US second and Great Britain's Stuart Jardine third.

But while the keel boats managed one race, there was no such fortune among the dinghies, which after bobbing around for some three hours, were told to go home.

The postponement thus delayed a continuance of the battle between rival Sunfish skippers Malcolm Smith and Donnie Martinborough. Bermudian Smith has got the better of the match-up thus far, with three firsts compared to a trio of second place finishes for the Bahamas native, who has had his share of problems getting around the course clean.

"The sailing's been good and Malcolm's been going really well to lead the series with three firsts and I've been consistently second,'' said Martinborough. "Yesterday (Monday) I just had a bad day, hitting the buoy and heading for the wrong course when they changed it.

"I've not been sailing all that well and have probably been concentrating too much on Malcolm and he's jumped ahead of me. But the series is still wide open, although Malcolm is going to be tough to beat with him sailing so well.

"Thursday is going to be extremely important. If I can win two races on Thursday then we might have a good series on our hands, but if Malcolm wins any of the races on Thursday then I feel it'll be all over.'' Smith, meanwhile, noted how he was thoroughly enjoying the on-water rivalry with his good friend.

"We've been going at it for a long time,'' said Smith. "Back in the '80s Donnie always got the better of me, but things have turned around a little bit.

"We're still very close and sometimes one little shift can give or take the race, but he's been a little unfortunate. From now on everything is crucial for Donnie if he wants to get over me, so he's going to have to pull out some wins Thursday for sure.

"It's going to be a battle all the way and we both look forward to it.'' Race fleet frustrated From Page 19 Stevie Dickinson is threatening to run away with the Snipes Class, although any slip might allow second placed Ian Brown of Canada in with a shout.

The Bermudian has rarely been pressed in seizing three straight victories, and more of the same following today's lay day would spell doom for the rest of the fleet.

"I've changed the mast and this has made a big difference in de-powering and powering the boat, and I think that has enabled me to sail away from these guys a bit,'' said Dickinson. "I feel very comfortable out there. My crew, Heath (Foggo), is sailing well and my nephew did well sailing with me on Sunday.

"But anything can happen out there, you just take it as it comes. Like I said, the boat is sailing well, I feel comfortable, we'll just have to see when the day comes.'' Laid back: Sunfish sailors Donnie Martinborough (left) and Jimmy Stewart rest easy as they receive a tow back to shore after racing was cancelled.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro Trump card: Peter Bromby (left) and his crew of Mike Tatem (standing) and David Lamb search for a fresh puff of wind on the Great Sound.