Sailors once again reigned supreme as Malcolm Smith and Paula Lewin were crowned Male and Female Athlete for 2003 during last night's Annual Sports Award Ceremony held at the Hamilton Princess Hotel.

For many, it would have come as no surprise who this year's eventual recipients for the coveted prizes would be, given their resounding success on international surf in their respective sport.

Smith found himself standing on the podium at last August's Pan Am Games in the Dominican Republic where he captured the silver medal ? the Island's only medal at the games ? before ascending to even greater glory by winning the World Sunfish Championships in St.Maarten, a performance that catapulted the local Sunfish skipper to the number one spot in the world. He also finished runner-up at the Mid-Winter Championships held in Florida with last night's achievement marking the second time the 44 year-old veteran skipper has walked away with this top award.

"It is definitely an honour to be back on stage with some very top athletes in Bermuda. . . I wasn't quite sure I would win but I was very honoured to be up there tonight and it is always an honour to represent Bermuda overseas at international regattas," said Smith, flanked by wife Julie, daughter Jordan and son Ben.

"I guess it was just a matter of me finding the right peak at the right time for the major regattas.

"I think winning the medal at the games (Pan Am) was a great achievement for me. And then to finish on top at the worlds (World Sunfish Championships) was very enjoyable, having done so for the third time. But it just goes to show what hard work can do for you. If you are prepared to put the time and effort into it, then basically you will get back what you put in."

Lewin, meanwhile, maintained her vice-like grip on the Female of the Year Award ? and deservedly so following another successful 2003 sailing campaign on local and international waters.

However, the top female skipper was not present at last night's ceremony to accept her award, that distinction went to brother Andres Lewin as his sister is currently overseas in Florida competing in a regatta.

Last June the highly-ranked Yngling skipper finished second ? for the second year in succession ? at the Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championships before placing eighth at the Barcelona Olympic Sailing Week in Spain ? a performance which qualified her for this year's Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Lewin, who last night won the award for an unprecedented fifth time, performed consistently on the European Yngling racing circuit, placing fifth in Malbora, Spain, sixth at the Spa Regatta in Holland and a highly respectable fifth in Kiel, Germany.

Presently ranked fifth in the world among the Yngling class, Lewin capped off a highly successful year by retaining her Bermuda Match Racing Championship before brushing aside legendary US skipper Dennis Conner in the King Edward VII Gold Cup series, a performance which saw the fierce competitor advance further than any other local female skipper before her.

Peter Bromby, last year's Male Athlete of the Year recipient, received the Ministry's Achievement Award last night following a consistent 2003 sailing campaign.

Bermuda's Star class Olympic skipper began last year's campaign on a high, sailing away with the Star Class Rolex Miami Olympic Regatta in the US before following up that outstanding achievement by adding the prestigious Bacardi Cup in Miami, Florida to an already impressive collection of accomplishments.

Bromby, a three-time winner of the Athlete of the Year Award and three time recipient of the Achievement Award, placed fourth at Kiel Week in Germany en route to securing his place at this year's Olympics.

"I think 2003 was probably my best year ever to be quite honest. We won a couple of major regattas in the early part of the year and remained consistent to be currently ranked number two in the world," he said.

"It's always great to be honoured by Government and we (the crew) have puta lot of effort into sailing and it is always nice to have it noticed. . . the only sad part is that I am here tonight alone and I don't sail alone. I sail with two other fellows (Lee White and Martin Seise) and they are really unsung heroes who are not here."

Also receiving Achievement Awards were cyclists Kris Hedges, squash player Nick Kyme, Netball player Gina Christopher and former distance runner and powerboat driver Richard (Ricky) Sousa.

Special Achievement Awards were presented to Bermuda Tennis Association president David Lambert and Austin Woods, while recipients of the Ministry's Special Recognition Award went to Around the World Solo navigator Alan Paris and long-time PHC Zebras and St.George's Cup Match fan Patrick Thomas.

Bermuda Arts and Fitness Academy received an Appreciation Award while Rupert Scotland, Branwen Smith-King, Quinton Hayward and sponsors Bank of Bermuda Foundation and International Bonded Carriers were all awarded Sports Citations.

Taking home the Ministers Award for excellence on the football pitch was Kentoine Jennings while the top prize in cricket went to Willow Cuts skipper Richard Basden.

"Tonight I would like to salute all the athletes, my director Mr. Brenton Roberts and the overall organising committee and the committee which selected the athletes for the hard work they have done," said Sports Minister Dale Butler.

Premier Alex Scott also saluted all the Island's athletes.

"We have athletes who really have dedicated their life and efforts to excellence," he said.

"This is truly a rich community; and I am not talking about money, I am talking about spirit. I certainly hope that they continue to pursue excellence in the competitions they are to enter . We know they will give it their best, you are our best and we saw the best tonight."