However the recent disclosure by Youth, Sport and Recreation director Brenton Roberts that the facilities at the stadium will not be available for use of the athletes after that day has not caught by BTFA by surprise.

"The Youth and Sports department had contacted us long before they made it public, so we have expected it and have consequently brought forward some of our CARIFTA trial dates,'' said Stanley Douglas, vice-president of the BTFA.

"We have scheduled a meeting on Friday with CARIFTA hopefuls to advise them that the qualifying dates will be earlier as a result and how important it will be for them to make the necessary adjustments.'' This year's CARIFTA Games is scheduled for Martinique from April 10-12. As a result of the early closure of the stadium the new trial dates for CARIFTA at the stadium are February 13, 20 and 28. The fourth trial date is tentatively set for March 6 but a venue has yet to be confirmed.

"By being notified early we are able to organise alternative plans. We are happy to see that the work is now confirmed at the stadium and delighted to know that it will be completed before our three major programmes take place there,'' said Douglas in reference to the Junior National Championships on May 16, the Heritage Day Classic on May 28 and the Senior National Championships on July 3.

Even while work is being carried out on the track at the stadium the BTFA is hopeful that an area will be made available at the western end of the facility to accommodate the CARIFTA team for light work-outs prior to their departure for Martinique.

Also on the cards is a training camp scheduled to take place at Paget Island from March 10-12 when those qualified for CARIFTA and others interested into furthering their knowledge in athletics will be invited to attend.

BRIDGE BDG The tournament at the Southampton Princess Hotel continued on Wednesday with the first session of the Flighted Pairs.

Leading at the half in Flight A were Phyllis Wachsman from New Jersey and Ellasue Chaitt from Maryland. They have a slender lead over Stratified Pairs winners Shome Mukherjee and Bill Hunter with Mike Aliotta and Lyla Goodale in third place.

Flight B is led by Emelio and Helen Modelane from Rhode Island, ahead of Ontario's Mary Williams and Nedra Cavanagh. Local pairs are one-two in Flight C, with David Cordon and Debbie Roberts heading Charles Hall and Jean Wakefield.

The Bermuda national team of Bill Souster, Alan Douglas, Ian Harvey and David Pereira advanced to the last eight in the Knockout Teams and now face the only remaining Bermudian, Vera Petty, playing with three men from England. Petty's team defeated Jack Rhind's team, the only other Bermudians left, to reach the quarter-finals.

SAILING SLG Local sailor Hughie Watlington recently completed a fine run in both the North American and World Championships in the sport of ice sailing.

The events were held at Lake Geneva, in the mid-western state of Wisconsin with over 170 competitors taking part.

In "wild'' and "frigid'' conditions that had temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees fahrenheit, accompanied by winds gusting to 30 knots, Watlington guided his DN boat to 43rd place in the bronze class of the Worlds and 25th in the silver category during the North American championships.

"It was great out there,'' said Watlington, one of the Island's top board sailors. "There was a blustering wind out there but it was very exciting, especially for the spectators.

"It's much faster than sailing on water and one has to really pay attention at all times. The reaction times also have to increase.'' Frequent Bermuda visitor Henry Bossett captured top overall honours at the North American meet. Bossett is known in local circles as he makes the sails used in local dinghy racing.

Meanwhile American Jeff Kent took the Worlds, triumphing over a field that included the likes of Buddy Melges, who sailed in the America's Cup on board America3, as well as sons Hans and Henry.

This excursion was Watlington's third to an international ice sailing event.

SOCCER SOC The next meeting of the Bermuda Referees Association will take place on Monday at Police Recreation Club starting at 7.30 p.m., with Aldwyn Savery lecturing on Report Writing.

The executives met with the Referees Committee of the BFA and as a result a committee will be formed to come up with a strategy to recruit referees.

Today's Minor Division make-up match between North Village and St. George's has been moved to Wellington Oval (10.15 a.m. start).

CRICKET CRI Social Club will hold a training session tomorrow morning at 9.30 at Victor Scott field. A meeting will follow afterwards for all players wishing to play for the club during the coming season.