Percy and Mitchell held off the French team of Xavier Rohart and Yannick Adde by about two boat lengths on Biscayne Bay.

"We kept it steady through a couple of good, long runs and were able to hold on to our lead," said Percy, a 2000 Olympic gold medalist. "We're right where we hoped to be right now."

Defending champions Mark Reynolds and Magnus Liljedahl finished eighth. Reynolds has won the Bacardi Cup a record-tying seven times.

"This is a strong field," said Liljedahl, who has won the regatta four times. "We are happy to have finished in the top 10."

There are 104 teams from 20 countries in this year's regatta, which continues until Friday. Full results are not available at present but will be posted here as soon as they are.