Lakota covered the 811-mile course outside the Bahamas and through the Windward Passage at the eastern end of Cuba in an unofficial time of two days 20 hours, 8 minutes and five seconds. His new mark sliced seven hours and 47 minutes off his old time of three days, three hours, 55 minutes and 20 seconds.

The monohull record was also under assault as Lakota took the finishing gun. Roy Disney's new 75-foot IMS-sled Pyewacket was surfing towards Montego Bay with only 70 miles remaining. She had about six hours left to break the monohull record, and needed to average over 12 knots for the remainder of her run. The weather forecast called for fresh easterlies, providing a spinnaker run to the finish.

Pyewacket was only launched last month from builder Eric Goetz's shed in Rhode Island. She was commissioned by Disney from the Reichel/Pugh design team with the aim of setting new Transpac records. If successful today she'll eclipse the Moray record set by the Alan Gurney designed 70-foot Windward Passage in 1971. Unbroken for 29 years, that record stands at three days, three hours, 40 minutes and seven seconds.

The Dumas 72 RX/Sight was closely following Pyewacket, about 45 miles back. There was a ten mile gap to Trader, a 25-mile gap to Donnybrook and a further gap of ten miles to Rima. Javelin still brings up the rear of the maxi fleet. She was off Punta Caleta, Cuba at noon.

In class PHRF B Harrier & Grins continued to duel for the lead, both were close to Javelin off the Eastern end of Cuba. Windy III the only other multihull in the race was halfway between Great Inagua & Cuba and approaching the Windward Passage..

Race officials estimated that winds further north must be lighter, because most of the northernmost boats appeared to have slowed overnight.

Critical Path was reported off Great Inagua at noon. Wild Woman & Achiever continued to battle next to each other off Acklins Island western tip. Jacana & Guanabara were still racing in company in the Crooked Island Passage while Dear Friend brought up the rear, reporting just west of Rum Cay.

The Millennium Odyssey fleet all reported pleasant weather as they cruised along the eastern shore of Long Island.

Check in time for the competitors to report their positions is Noon daily. The website for the Pineapple Cup www.montego-bay-jamaica.com/mbyc will post each boat's position on the interactive site by late afternoon.

The MoBay classic is organized by the Montego Bay Yacht Club, the Storm Trysail Club and the Lauderdale Yacht Club.

Regular race updates can also be found on the regatta web site at http://www.regattas.com.