jump this year when he placed third in the event at an indoor meet in Lievin, France yesterday.

For the newly crowned Athlete-of-the-Year, the defeat was his first in six outings and also marked the first time he had not jumped at least 17 metres.

Wellman's best attempt was 16.91 metres (55 feet, five inches), well short of the 17.47 (57' 33 '') he recorded at a previous meet in Grenoble, a personal best and Bermuda record.

First in Lievin was Cuban Yoelbi Quesada with a best leap of 17.08 (56' 41 '') followed by Maris Bruziks of Lithuania.

The Lievin meet was the first of four offering a $25,000 bonus to the cumulative points leader in specified events -- triple jump being one -- and the third place put Wellman in an immediate hole in his quest for much needed cash.

Next up for Wellman is a competition in Birmingham, England on Saturday.