for the Bermuda Yachting Association and the sport in general with an impressive total of 49 entrants -- 30 of them in the Optimist class.

But despite the high numbers Jimmy Gill created a definite niche for himself, highlighting his ability by finishing first in all six Optimist races and accumulating the lowest possible points total of three and three-quarters.

Gill showed great tactical sailing knowledge which would appear to put him as one to watch for in the future.

Also performing well among the fleet were Bobby Beale (13 points), who was second courtesy of three second place finishes together with a third, fourth and a fifth. Dewit Masters (24) was third overall.

Douglas DeCouto exerted his dominance in the smaller Laser class, returning a similar point total as Gill after discarding his worst finish of second in the penultimate race. Next best was Andrew Butterworth (10), runner up in all but one race, while Patrick Singleton (133 ) floated in third.

The battle for big boat honours was quite fierce and competitive, with all of the two man crews working well in tandem. Sommers Kempe and Jesse DeCouto earned the Laser II title, guiding their craft to four firsts and a total of five points.

Elizabeth Walker and Carola Cooper pressed the winning duo all the way and mamaged three firsts of their own, but fell just two and a half points short at the end. Martin Mello and Matthew Hooper sailed consistently for third place.

Sam van Gerbig and crew Keri Viera ruled the six-boat Enterprise fleet ahead of John Singleton and Daniel Poole. Singleton got the upper hand in the first race before van Gerbig went on to win three in a row. Following a second in the fifth race he was back on top in the sixth and final encounter for a total of five points.

Singleton's results included two firsts but his seven-and-a-half points was not nearly enough to unseat van Gerbig. Brian Dodwell and Treadwell Tucker's 13 points was good enough for third.

Bermuda's national sailing coach Chuck Millican was delighted with the turn-out as well as the performances of all the competitors.

"It was a great event,'' said Millican, back on the island after accompanying Bermuda's Olympic sailors on their recent trip to Spain. "I'm extremely happy with the turn-out. Everything went smoothly with some nice weather.

"The level of sailing this year was so much better than last year and I believe this is due to the general instructor level being so good.'' SUCCESS STORY -- Douglas DeCouto (143265) sailed his Laser to victory at the weekend's Junior National Championships.