title when he held down first place after three races at the 27th annual World Championships being held in Cartagena, Columbia.

Competing in the gold fleet of 43 boats, Smith, winner in 1994, had recorded finishes of second, first and third in the regatta. Three more races were scheduled yesterday.

Eduardo Cordero of Venezuela, the defending champion, was a close second after finishes of first, second and fourth.

Bermuda's other sailor in the fleet, Damian Payne, was further back in 22nd place with two finishes of 12th and a premature start in the third race.

Another Bermuda sailor, James Stewart, is competing in the silver fleet but his finishes were not known.