Smith and Eduardo Cordero of Venezuela enter the final day of competition in the Sunfish World Championships today.

While last year saw Smith entering the final round of racing in the top spot, this time the local sailor takes the role of stalker, with an eye on catching Cordero, who currently leads the competition with three races remaining.

Smith enters the day just one and a quarter points behind the South American maestro -- Smith has eight and a half points compared to seven and a quarter for Cordero -- but with momentum on his side after finishes of first and second in the last two races of the six race qualifying series.

On the other hand, Wednesday was the worst for Cordero, who was penalised for a premature start in the first race of the morning before recovering to place second the next time out.

"...I have to be careful in the next races because one mistake could make me lose everything,'' said Cordero on Wednesday, obviously worried as he looked forward to today's championship series.

And not only must he watch out for Smith, but there are others with a legitimate shot at the title, with American Paul-Jon Patin and countryman Bruce Sutphen in range.

Patin recorded a first and fifth to round out his qualifying effort and lies on 153 points, as does Sutphen, a former winner of the event.

Further back in fifth is Bruce Mahoney (173 ) followed by another local Stevie Dickinson (183 ).

The championship will conclude today with a three race final series, with the previous results included in the final tally, although each sailor is allowed to drop one race.