HE has won three World Championships, two Pan American Games silver medals and a CAC bronze medal making him arguably Bermuda's most successful athlete. And now Bermuda's Sunfish King, Malcolm Smith, will be going for a fourth World title in a month and then during the summer of 2007 he will attempt to improve on his Pan Am silver medals by going for the gold at the Games which will be held in Brazil.

But first up will be the Sunfish Worlds being hosted by the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina in South Carolina from September 30 to October 6.

"It should be good ? I think they have about 90 competitors now and will probably get to the 100 limit," said Smith. "Next year will be the Pan Am Games and a lot of countries will be trying to qualify for them at the Worlds. I have already qualified Bermuda for the Pan Ams (at the North American Championships) which is a bit of a relief. Now I can just concentrate on the regatta. I will not have all the stress of worrying about qualifying ? it is something that can play in the back of your mind of who you have to beat."

Smith, who was fourth at last year's World Championships, first won the Worlds in 1994 and then did it again in 1998 and 2003. The former Athlete of the Year who is 47 years old, said: "I imagine this may be my last Worlds."

He has been busy training out on North Shore and has also been heavily involved with the Laser sailing in Bermuda.

And he will not be the only sailor at the Worlds in South Carolina. Smith will be joined by veteran and former Olympic sailor Howard Lee and Lee's grandson Rochal Evans.

Smith said he plans to go to South Carolina a few days early to get accustomed to the conditions.

"They have good winds there and a lot of current from what I understand so I may try and get there a little early to try and figure some things out.

"This year I have been out in some good weather ? I try and sail as much as I can. It is not as easy today to get out compared to when I was younger ? I have kids now but my wife is pretty good about everything ? she gives me my time when I ask for it ? I am lucky in that way. Not every wife will do that. I try and get out two to three times a week and I do some cycling and weights as well."

Sailing Lasers also helps, said Smith pointing out that Lasers can be more physically demanding and also Bermuda's Laser fleet is bigger and more competitive than the Sunfish fleet.

"Sailing the Lasers helps me ? it is a little more physical although the Sunfish can be physical in a breeze. In lighter and medium winds you have to work a little harder in a Laser."

And he is looking forward to having Howard Lee and grandson Rochal Evans at the championships. "I think Howard is really doing it for grandson who is real keen sailor. Rochal is sailing a lot with us and he keeps getting better and better each time. He is getting faster and smarter each time he goes out and is one of Bermuda's up and coming juniors. He is very keen.

"And Howard has been a stalwart of the Sunfish class for years and years but has not been to a Worlds for quite a while but he is signed up and entered. He probably wishes he was 25 or 30 hears younger! He is a very nice guy and a very good sailor."

While he is qualified for Brazil next year, Smith is also hoping that other classes will qualify.

"It would be nice to have a number of sailors at the Pan Ams. The last time (2003) I think we sent the Lasers and Sunfish. In the Games before that that we had four classes ? Finn, Laser, Laser Radial and Sunfish. It is far better when you have a number of sailors at the major Games. The team works together and at the end of the day we discuss things that went on. You get a lot of input from the sailors."

Of his own class Smith said the Sunfish was in a "bit of slump".

"But we have had some great sailors come through the Sunfish class ? people like Peter Bromby, Paul Fisher, Howard Lee and Penny Simmons ? they have all had a turn in the boat.

"It really is the ideal boat ? it is still one of the best priced boats on the market, it is easy to rig and you can just jump in. I keep hoping more people will come out and race them."