Douglas again underscored his reputation as one of Bermuda's premier athletes on the second day of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) track and field championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico yesterday.

Bean, 21, bounded into last night's long jump final with a best qualifying leap of 7.42 metres while Douglas, a three time Olympic semi-finalist, cruised into the 200 metres semi-final with the second fastest heat time of 21.18 seconds.

Following Bean's elimination in the 100 metres semi-final a day earlier, he bounced back in an event he considers secondary to the sprint to record leaps of 7.42, 7.35 and 7.33 metres -- all of which would have been sufficient to earn a place in the final.

The top qualifier was Cuba's Ivan Pedrosa who landed just one jump of 7.88 metres to make him the clear gold medal favourite.

But Bermuda coach Gerry Swan noted that Bean had jumped "well within himself'' and was confident of going further in last night's final.

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Douglas showed all the experience and class of a seasoned international as he raced to second place in the second heat of the 200 metres, clocking a comfortable 21.18, second fastest of the 24 qualifiers.

Cuba's Ivan Garcia won the heat in 20.72, fastest of the morning.

Douglas was scheduled to run in last night's 200m semi-final, confident of booking a place in today's final.

But while Bean and Douglas progressed, there were contrasting fortunes for sprinter Xavier James and distance runner Jay Donawa.

James, eliminated in the heats of the 100 metres, suffered the same fate in the 200, finishing seventh of eight in the third heat with a time of 22.55.

And Donawa, who had harboured high hopes of an impressive showing in the 5,000 metres -- a straight final -- complained of feeling "lethargic and flat'' after drifting back through the pack to finish 12th out of 13.

Donawa, who believed he was in peak form, has now been entered along with team-mate Terrance Armstrong in today's 1500 metres after clocking a disappointing 15 minutes 33.41 seconds in the 5,000 -- a race won by a Columbian in 14.07.

Armstrong was due to run in a straight 3,000 metres steeplechase final last night for which only five athletes were entered.

Besides Douglas (should he reach the 200m final), Armstrong and Donawa, also competing on the final day today will be Bermuda's Marathon Derby champion Kavin Smith who goes in this morning's half marathon around the streets of San Juan. That race is scheduled to get underway at 6.00 a.m. local time to avoid the heat of the day.

Bermuda's final competitor will be former World Indoor Champion Brian Wellman in tonight's triple jump in which he faces tough competition against at least two world class Cubans.

In total, 31 countries are taking part in the meet.

"It's much bigger and more competitive than certainly I realised,'' commented Bermuda Track and Field Association spokesman Bob Oliver. "The standard, particularly from the Cubans, is exceptionally high.''