Bermudian Star Class sailor Peter Bromby remained on course to capture a third overall Bacardi Cup in Florida yesterday.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) skipper chalked up his first bullet in this year's event after holding off a late charge by nearest rival Jon VanderMolen off the waters of Biscayne Bay.

The former Olympian and crew Magnus Liljedhal of Sweden have sailed consistently all week and another podium finish in today's fifth race could effectively clinch the coveted title with a day to spare.

Bromby currently holds a seven-point lead over nearest rival Vandermolen and in four races so far has placed no lower than second.

The Bermudian was slow getting out of the blocks yesterday but by the first Windmark mark had clearly established himself as the boat to beat.

Bromby managed to distance himself further from the fleet as the race progressed, leading by as many as eight boats lengths at one stage, before being reeled in by Vandermolen and crew Geoff Ewenson to set up an intense battle to the Leeward finish.

"The breeze filled in from behind on the final leg, and Vandermolen did a nice job of riding it down on us, but we weren't nervous at all.

"With just one boat to cover, we knew we could pull it out," Bromby commented.

Bromby won a first Bacardi Cup title in 2001 and a second in 2003 sailing with compatriot Martin Siese.

Elsewhere yesterday, Martin Vezina moved ten places up the leaderboard to 64th position at the Audi Etchells Worlds in Melbourne, Australia while compatriot Tim Patton slipped from 52nd to 62nd spot in the 85-boat race fleet comprised of past Americas Cup sailors and Olympians.

Vezina placed 34th and 51st in yesterday's two races that were contested for in light air conditions while Patton finished 75th and 57th.