BARCELONA -- Clarance (Nicky) Saunders' plummet from the ranks of world-class high jumping was confirmed last night when he exited the Olympic competition during the qualifying round.

Saunders failed to clear seven feet and three-quarters of an inch, his entry height while jumping in group B at the Estadi Olimpic.

The reigning Commonwealth Games champion's demise cast the debut of Dawnette Douglas in the shadows but it was just as well as the young sprinter went out of the 100 metres in the first round.

All around it was undoubtedly the saddest day for Bermuda at these Games, for in the sailing competition Star hopeful Peter Bromby was knocked out of medal contention after placing 15th and Tornado duo Reid and Jay Kempe were robbed of a top-10 finish in their best race of an ordinary regatta.

But the focus of the team's woes centred around 29-year-old Saunders. It is not a complete surprise that he was not up for medal contention, but there was hope that he could carry himself to tomorrow's final.

His plight could be seen as early as the practice session when he missed his last two jumps and the inevitable was delayed by a half-hour or so as he skipped the first three heights--two metres (6-63 ), 2.05 (6-83 ) and 2.10 (6-103 ).

When it was his turn, Saunders was never close to clearing the bar, clipping it firmly on each occasion with his heels. He simply did not have the elevation, a tell-tale sign that the severe tendinitis in both of his knees needs to be corrected if his career is to be revived.

Saunders tried his best this week to be upbeat about his chances, but in reality he had none--his best jump in competition the past 18 months has been 7-1 12. Yesterday's qualifying mark was 2.29 metres (7-61 ).

The look on his face when he realised the dream was over after the third miss was one of dismay and then acceptance.

"I put myself in a position where I am already out of the Games,'' said Saunders earlier on his knee problems. " I wanted to do well but considering the circumstances it was going to be difficult.'' Douglas, in her first Olympics, was drawn against one of the veterans, 35-year-old Evelyn Ashford, the American 1984 gold medallist.

Ashford won the heat in a cool 11.23 seconds, the second-fastest time in the first-round heats, with Douglas a distant sixth in 12.05. The top four finishers in each of the seven heats automatically qualified for the second round last night plus the four fastest losers.

Douglas would have needed a time of 11.72 to make the second round. She now turns her attention to the 200 metres heats, which will be held on Monday. The remaining track and field athletes, top medal hopeful Brian Wellman and Troy Douglas are in action today.

Wellman will be in the triple jump qualifying while Douglas has his 400 metres heats today and, if successful, tomorrow.

In sailing Reid and Jay Kempe have every reason to be cursing their luck. By no stretch of the imagination were they contending for a top spot going into the first race-- they were 20th out of 22-- but yesterday they were poised for a good finish and the wind died within a few nautical miles of the end.

The Kempes had their Tornado in fourth place after the first two marks but a port to starboard infringement cost them 10 places on the third.

Nevertheless, they clawed their way back and were in eighth place and rising when the winds stopped and the race was called. The class will try to sail two races today before finishing tomorrow.

The Kempes have finishes of 19th, 14th, 19th and 20th for a total of 96.00 points. Leaders are Yves Loday of France (24.40) with Van Teylingen and Paul Manuel of Holland second (39.00) and David Sweeney and Keith Notary of Canada third (41.00).

Bromby suffered a similar fate to the Kempes as he fought from behind the fleet in the early stages and worked his way up to 12th before the conditions cost him three places.

Bromby and Paul Fisher are 18th out of 26 boats and the best they can hope for is 12th. They were 16th on Wednesday and 13th on Thursday.

Paul Lewin was 16th in the Europe Dinghy Class yesterday and now lies 21st overall out of 24 after previous finishes of 16th, 19th, 15th and 20th.

Friday was a lay day for Blythe Walker and Ray DeSilva in the 470 Class but they are performing creditably, in 21st place out of 37 boats with three races left. For more on Bermuda's Olympians -- see page 15.

NICKY SAUNDERS -- failed to clear a jump.