The Bermuda Offshore Cruising Association's race committee provided a 23.5-mile course that kept boats in close contention as the fleet left Hamilton Harbour under spinnaker.

But on rounding the downwind leg at Dundonald Channel, the botas spread out with Frequent Flyer demonstrating the speed of a multi-hull off the wind. Jay Kempe's boat led the way around Lantana Buoy, followed by Tsunami and High Energy , while just behind Windfall and Crew Cut had their own private battle.

At the finish, Buddy Rego's Tsunami had the fastest time (13:18:08) but lost out to Paul Hubbard's Tonka and Penny Simmons' High Engergy on corrected time in their respective divisions.

SWIMMING SW Entry and contribution forms are now available for the annual Round-the Sound Swimathon, set for October 13.

Since its inception in 1991, the swimathon has evolved into four distances, serving both charity and competition.

The longest distance is a swim of 10 kilometres, beginning at 1.00 p.m. at the Aquarium, followed by the 7.25K swim from My Lord's Bay dock at 1.45 p.m. The next scheduled distance is the 4K from Shark Hole, with the shortest distance being 2K from Turtle Island. All the swims finish at Palmetto Bay.

The event has raised more than $110,000 for charity over the past five years and this year's beneficiary will be something close to all swimmers: The Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association and Warick Academy pools.

The two 25-metre facilities are the only public pools on the Island and are used to their maximum, necessitating upgraded equipment and filters.

Entry deadline is Monday, with an entry fee of $15. The late entry deadline is next Friday, with a cost of $20. Forms are available at Sportseller and International Imports.

Contact Reeve Trott (292-1661) for more information.

POOL POO Team captains voted Brian Walker as the recipient of the Bermuda International Pool League's Player of the Month award after his unprecedented three-for-three start to the season.

Walker and the Isalnd's top players will be in action tomorrow in the Heineken Cup, from 12 noon to 10 p.m. at Hamilton Parish Workmen's Club.