Brian Wellman weaved more magic in Spain yesterday, finishing second in the triple jump at an international athletics meeting in Madrid.

And his huge leap of 17.75 metres -- 58 feet and three inches -- would have smashed the previous Bermuda record of 17.41 metres (57 feet, 11 inches) he established in 1994 had it not been wind assisted.

Spain was also the country where Wellman grabbed a gold medal earlier this year when he jumped 17.72 metres (58 feet, 13 inches) at the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona.

Yesterday he was beaten by the man he pushed into second place in Barcelona, arch-rival Yoelvis Quesada of Cuba, who jumped 17.97 metres (58 feet, 111 inches), which would have equalled the world mark set by Willie Banks of the US in 1985 had it not been for a following wind stronger than the rules permit.

Wellman's jump would also have been rated as the fourth best in history. The effort marks the continuation of a remarkable year for the three-time Bermuda athlete of the year.

Only Banks and Mike Conley have gone further without wind assistance than the two marks set by Quesada and Wellman last night. Conley is second on the all-time best list with a leap of 17.76 metres (58 feet, 31 inches).

It's the second time in his career that Wellman has jumped more than 58 feet and both those jumps have come since February.

That puts him in excellent position to win a medal at the World Outdoor Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden in early August and on course for a medal at next year's Olympics in Atlanta.

Of the 13 competitions Wellman has been part of in 1995 he has finished first seven times. In four outdoor meets so far he has grabbed first place in El Paso, Texas and second during his last two meets.

Joel Garcia of Cuba finished third yesterday with a leap of 17.26 metres (56 feet, 73 inches).

Brian Wellman