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The event is in its preliminary round robin stages. In Group A Björn HANSEN (SWE) and Brian ANGEL (USA) dashed out to 2-0 records before racing for the group was prematurely halted around 1130.

Group B took to the water at 1330 and completed five flights. ISAF Nations Cup winner RICHARD and WILLIAMS seem assured of advancing to Friday's quarter-final round. Both skippers went 4-1 in racing with just two flights remaining to complete the group.

'Four-and-one is a good result,' said RICHARD, who placed sixth last year. 'I think we might be into the quarter-finals, but we have two matches tomorrow.'

Lightning Strike

Group A's racing was suspended when a squall pushed through that raised the hairs on the back of necks and sent three sailors and an umpire to a doctor for check ups. The squall produced heavy rains and a bolt of lightning that struck three race boats.

One boat, Peppercorn, saw its masthead windex blown off and a hole put in the bow when the lightning presumably travelled down the forestay and into the water through the hull. It was as if someone took a marlinspike and punched through the hull from the inside out.

'We had quite a surprise today when we were struck by lightning,' said reigning event champion SPITHILL, 1-1 in Group A, who had just switched into Peppercorn. 'It blew up the mast step. It smelled a bit like a sauna. I've never had that happen.'

The sailors who went to the doctor are Karl ANDERSON and Mark IVEY, both crew for Chris LAW (GBR) and Eric BOOTHE, bowman for ANGEL, all three Americans. The umpire was David PELLING of Canada. According to attending physician Dr. Stephen SHERWIN, none was seriously injured.

'They were treated for diffuse electrical shock,' said SHERWIN. 'All had a thorough cardiovascular and neurological exam. They suffered from mild superficial burn and muscle spasms. Thankfully, nobody had entry or exit wounds, which could have indicated deep tissue burn injury.'

How It Happened

Graeme SPENCE, bowman for Torvar MIRSKY, sets the spinnaker pole as Paula LEWIN and crew loom in the background © Gold Cup/Charles ANDERSON

BOOTHE is living proof that lightning can strike twice. He was competing in a collegiate regatta in 1999 when lightning blew out the mast step of the FJ dinghy he was sailing. He was not hurt in that incident, but he was a bit woozy today. His ear was next to the mast when the bolt hit.

'I kind of had to sit down,' BOOTHE said. 'I was standing on the bow looking aft at the wind and had to take a seat.'

PELLING was holding onto a metal steering wheel when the lightning struck. 'I felt a tingling up through my arms,' he said. 'It made me jump off the wheel.'

Today's schedule calls for Group B to complete its two flights in the morning and then Group A to finish its round robin afterwards. The quarter-finals are slated for Friday, the semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Sunday.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism is an Official Host Sponsor of the Gold Cup. Event sponsors include Renaissance Re, Max Re, Bermuda Telephone, Bermuda Premium Spirits and Oleander Cycle.

King Edward VII Gold Cup Results

Round Robin Standings

Group A
(After 2 of 7 scheduled flights)

1. Brian ANGEL (USA), King Harbor Match Race, 2-0
1. Björn HANSEN (SWE), Team Apport.net, 2-0
3. Scott DICKSON (USA), Dickson Racing Team, 1-1
3. Chris LAW (GBR), The Outlaws, 1-1
3. Staffan LINDBERG (FIN), Alandia Sailing Team, 1-1
3. James SPITHILL (AUS), Luna Rossa Challenge, 1-1
7. Sandy HAYES (USA), 0-2
7. Jon SINGSEN (USA), 0-2

Group B
(After 5 of 7 scheduled flights)

1. Mathieu RICHARD (FRA), Saba Sailing Team, 4-1
1. Ian WILLIAMS (GBR), Williams Sail Racing, 4-1
3. Alvaro MARINHO (POR), 3-2
3. Eric MONNIN (SUI), Team Monnin, 3-2
5. Torvar MIRSKY (AUS), 2-3
5. Blythe WALKER (BER), 2-3
7. Jes GRAM-HANSEN (DEN), Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia, 1-4
7. Paula LEWIN (BER), 1-4

For all the news on the King Edward VII Gold Cup CLICK HERE.

World Match Racing Tour Schedule
(2006-2007 Season)

The World Match Racing Tour is an ISAF Special Event. Skippers earn points towards the World Championship at the nine events of the World Tour and the highest scoring skipper at the end of the season is the ISAF Match Racing World Champion.

The World Tour Partner and Official Car is BMW AG (Munich, Germany). World Tour sponsors include Sebago (Rockford, USA), the Official Footwear Supplier, Travel Places (West Sussex, Great Britain), the Official Travel Partner and Wedgwood (Cheshire, Great Britain) the Official Trophy Supplier.

For more information on the World Match Racing Tour, its competitors and events, visit the official World Tour website - www.WorldMatchRacingTour.com. World Match Racing Tour television programmes may be viewed on demand by clicking on the television icon on the home page of the website.

For all the news on the World Match Racing Tour CLICK HERE.