to compete in two Olympics, local luge ace Simon Payne has called it a day.

Using the tiny hamlet of Lillehammer, Norway as his back-drop, Payne yesterday announced his retirement from the sport.

"I've officially retired,'' said Payne, who bucked the odds just to qualify for the Games.

"I've reached all my goals and finished what I set out to do six years ago. I did Albertville (France) and was initially a bit unsure about Lillehammer, but I did both and it feels great.'' Payne said the days following the luge competition had been quite hectic, with the Bermudian an obvious hit with the throng of reporters on hand to cover the event.

Much of yesterday was spent reflecting on moments past while answering questions from the media, wondering how this man of the sub-tropics came to be a part of the frozen tundra of athletic prowess.

"I'm walking in the clouds at the moment,'' continued Payne. "It's a bit crazy at the moment.

"In fact I've had nothing but interviews all morning.'' Much of the frenzy was being perpetrated by the European press and Payne noted how he was doing his best to promote the Island as a viable vacation destination.

Payne finished 30th out of 33 competitors and notched a personal best clocking of 52.543 seconds during his third of four attempts for an aggregate total of three minutes, 30.637 seconds.

He beat noted American Duncan Kennedy, who was disqualified after crashing during his third run, as well as Nedzad Lomigora of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Australia's Roger White.

Payne was scheduled to depart Norway today with his wife, Maria, beginning a long trek home with stops in England and Canada before landing in Bermuda tomorrow.

After all the hoopla of the Olympics it will be back to walking the beat as a member of the local Police force...albeit with a little snow on his boots.