the IAAF Mobil Grand Prix final in Turin, Italy, only shows the unlimited heights he is capable of reaching.

That is the view of Bermuda's national track and field coach Gerry Swan who was this week ecstatic to hear of Wellman's finest accomplishment on the weekend.

"It certainly is exciting news, not just for Brian just to have won but to have beaten the Olympic gold medallist Mike Conley, bronze medallist Frank Rutherford and the fourth-place finisher Leonid Voloshin in pulling off victory. The only person missing from the Olympics was silver medallist Charlie Simpkins of United States,'' said Swan.

"The superb performance was an exciting way to cap off a what was a great season for him. Psychologically, it was good for him to beat Conley who Brian had always had a high regard for.'' It was indeed a fitting climax for the 24-year-old Wellman who beat the prominent field with a leap of 56 feet, seven-and-a-quarter inches (17.25 metres). Rutherford of the Bahamas was second in 17.15 (56-31 ) while Voloshin of the Commonwealth of Independent States was third on 16.99 (55-9) and Conley sixth in 16.76 (54-113 ).

"Brian has established himself as a world-class jumper, nobody can take him for granted,'' said Swan of the athlete who finished fifth in Barcelona.

"What makes it exciting is that Brian is still relatively young in the sport, Conley is now 29 and is Brian's senior. Given the current trend, triple jumpers appear to mature at an older age,'' said Swan.

"Brian has certainly come quite a ways when you consider the fact that six years ago he was here competing as a junior. No doubt there will be bigger and longer jumps ahead for him.'' It was Wellman's first appearance in the Mobil Grand Prix final, Swan pointing out that he had only recently received the invitation from the IAAF after his fine performances at major track and field events this year.

Among his earlier accomplishments were: first at the South East Conference Championships (54-103 ).

first at the NCAA Outdoor Championships (56-91 , wind assisted).

third at the NCAA Indoor Champonships (54-41 ).

"What adds to his achievements is the fact that he was wearing a back-brace for six weeks following the indoor season, so for him to recover and go on and establish himself as a world-class performer is astonishing,'' said Swan.

Although Wellman continues to make gigantic strides as he develops, Swan does point out that he still has to fine-tune a few technical points, which will add distance to his performances.

"There are one or two technicalities he has to work at, but all of these are minor. Brian has always had good training ethic and he is very coachable and knowledgeable, so all of this will fall in place,'' said Swan.

Looking ahead to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta there is justified optimism that Wellman will be Bermuda's best hope for a medal even though Swan did not readily say so.

His only comment was: "Certainly right now he is a good bet for 1996.'' Wellman has now returned to school at the University of Arkansas with a successful outdoor season now behind him. But he will only get a short rest before he is back preparing for the busy indoor season schedule.

Next year will see Wellman involved in a number of major events as well, featuring the NCAA Indoor Championships in March, followed by the NCAA Championships, the CAC Track and Field Championships in July and the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, in August to name just a few.

BRIAN WELLMAN -- Bright future.