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It was tough sailing as the fleet attacked the line, forcing the Race Committee to employ the much feared black flag on attempts to start in both races.

Many who topped the leader board after the first few races fell victim to either premature starts or poor finishes. After four races, it is the American Challenge US team of Betsy ALISON, Lee ICYDA and Suzy LEECH who lead the series with 32 points. In second place is the 2001 World Champions Christoph SKOLAUT, Georg SKOLAUT, and Wolfgang RIHA from Austria, with 33 and in third, Sharon FERRIS, Joanna WHITE and Sara WINTHER of New Zealand with 38 points. After one more race is completed, the competitors will be able to discard their worst finish which will shake up the leaderboard yet again.

Several new faces jumped to the lead in Race 3 - Chris HARPER from Australia led from wire to wire, followed by Cathy FOSTER of Great Britain. USA's Carol CRONIN and team crossed third with Inger HATCH ASLE of Norway in fourth. Finishes in the top twenty kept Alison, Skolaut, Swett and Ferris in the game, showing the importance of sailing a consistent regatta. The light WNW breeze force the Race Committee to shorten the course to make the time limit and passing opportunities were limited.

The start of Race 4 was delayed as the sea breeze fought the gradient wind. When the wind settled into the Northerly direction, the Race Committee then had to fight with competitors to stay below the line. Several Black Flag starts proved to be the undoing of some tough competitors - Anna BASALKINA (RUS) suffered that fate as well as USA's Jody SWANSON, past world champion Rudi MAYR and US Yngling Class President Bruce CHAFFEE.

As the fleet sailed the shortened course, Yngling boat builder Bill ABBOTT (sailing with his wife and daughter) led the fleet around the course to take a sweet victory. A big right shift and mark changes allowed the leaders to get farther ahead, but provided opportunities for many looking for passing lanes. Abbott took the gun followed by Kristin WAGNER (GER), Ruslana TURIN (UKR), Paula LEWIN (BER) and Betsy ALISON (USA).

Racing continues today and the Race Committee will try and complete three more races. The forecast is not much better than yesterday and light winds will most likely prevail on the course.

Top Ten After 4 Races

Position	Nation	Helmsman/Crew	R1	R2	R3	R4	Total
1	USA	Betsy ALISON, Suzy LEECH, Lee ICYDA	4	12	11	5	32
2	AUT	Christoph SKOLAUT, Georg SKOLAUT, Wolfgang RIHA	6	6	5	16	33
3	NZL	Sharon FERRIS, Joanna WHITE, Sara WINTHER	2	13	15	8	38
4	DEN	Trine PALLUDAN, Christina OTZEN, Ida HARTVIG	5	22	7	17	51
5	USA	Hannah SWETT, Joan TOUCHETTE, Melissa PURDY	3	25	10	15	53
6	GER	Kristin WAGNER, Anne HÖLL, Veronika LOCHBRUNNER	24	3	25	2	54
7	USA	Carol CRONIN, Elisabeth FILTER, Bridget HALLAWELL	17	29	3	7	56
8	GBR	Shirley ROBERTSON, Sarah AYTON, Sarah WEBB	11	2	23	25	61
9	NOR	Inger HATCH ASLE, John HATCH, Nina ANDREASSEN	35	7	4	23	69
10	ESP	Eva RIOS, Marta REYNES, Helga GARCES	16	24	19	11	70