Marcel to withdraw from yesterday's final race, the local ace still managed to record his highest overall finish ever at the World Star Class Championships off Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Pending the result of a protest on the third place finisher, Bromby could today move up from fourth to third in the 71-boat fleet.

But regardless of the outcome of the inquiry, Bromby's showing this week will mark a huge improvement on his 10th place finish two years ago, until then his best ever.

"It was kind of disappointing to finish the event like this, especially after we were going so well after the first three days, '' said Bromby last night.

"There was nothing we could do. After sitting for a while there was hope, but when we were in about 50th place it didn't make any sense to continue even when things picked up, so we withdrew.'' The ruling was expected late last night because of the large number of protests which the committee had to deal with.

As expected the winner of the regatta was American Eric Doyle, who posted three bullets during the week, but he too was involved in a protest.