Brazil's Torben Grael and Marcelo Ferreira clinched the Star class gold medal Thursday with one race left , while the silver and bronze medals will be decided Saturday.

Grael, 44, has won five medals in six Olympics, dating to his silver in the Soling class in 1984. Grael also won the Star gold in 1996, and has two bronzes. Grael and Ferreira sailed a consistent regatta against a fleet loaded with some of the world's best sailors. In 10 races, they were out of the top seven only once, finishing 11th in the first of Thursday's two races for the 17-boat fleet.

Grael was the tactician for Prada Challenge in the 2003 America's Cup, helping the Italian-based crew eliminate Cayard's AmericaOne in the challenger finals. Luna Rossa was then swept in five races by Team New Zealand.

American skipper Paul Cayard, in his first Olympics at 45, and crew Phil Trinter, are ranked fourth overall with 56 points, nine points shy of the silver.

Star standings (after 10 of 11 races)

1. BRA, Torben Grael/Marcelo Ferreira, 31 (5-4-1-1-2-5-2-7-11-4)
2. FRA, Xavier Rohart, Pascal Rambeau, 47 (3-9-6-15-7-2-4-12-3-1)
3. CAN, Ross Macdonald, Mike Wolfs, 49,2 (7-11-4-3-1-5.2-8-14-8-2)
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4. USA, Paul Cayard/ Phil Trinter, 56 (1-6-15-10-3-6-1-15-6-8)
7. GBR, Ian Percy/Steve Mitchell, 69 (8-3-12-9-6-3-16-5-7-17)