International Star Masters Regatta, after holding off a strong challenge from American Barton Beek.

Beek, the overnight leader, entered the day needing to place no lower than second -- provided Wagner was first -- and the title was his. However, he was prevented from doing so by shrewd tactics employed by the German ace.

In the end, it was Wagner taking line honours and the championship, while Beek could only muster third -- good for second overall -- behind fellow countryman Kim Fletcher, who was third overall.

"Eckart did his best to push us back and he was successful and that's the way you win regattas,'' said Beek as he rinsed down his craft, one of 12 Star boats imported for the event hosted by the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.

"He tacked on us a lot of times and every time he did that he slowed us down just a little bit. Eventually, instead of finishing second, which would have won it for us we finished third and that lost it for us.'' Beek pointed to the final weather leg as the point where things were lost as he and Wagner jostled back and forth, but the latter's strong covering eventually served to slow Beek just enough for Fletcher to make the pass Wagner hoped for.

It was then left for him to maintain his position at the front and be able to enjoy the sweet taste of victory.

Throughout the week both Wagner and Beek had been the most consistent competitors, with Beek recording a first, two seconds and two thirds and was able to drop a fifth-place finish, while Wagner ended with four firsts, an eighth and failed to finish the other race.

"I feel that we had four daily firsts, which showed our speed and performance,'' explained Wagner. "We had one eighth where (Heinz) Maurer was disqualified later and we were tangled up in that situation.

"Normally in international racing you can protest and ask for average points, but I didn't do it, so somehow I think maybe the Wind God made it right.

"Also, we enjoyed it and maybe because I enjoyed it so much the performance was good too.'' Ironically it was Wagner, a three-time Olympian -- 1960, '64, '72, placing fifth in Japan in '64 in the 5.5-metre boat class -- who was the main mover behind organising the event, which attracted participants from Europe and the United States.

And after witnessing the success enjoyed in the first year he was anxious to have the Island again play hosts in 1994. He noted the rise in popularity of the Star Class and also stressed the importance of involving the older sailors in international events.

"Olympic (Star) sailing has gotten very, very competitive, but here the competitors cannot organise or run a class or support the class,'' said Wagner.

"We've had a lot of Bermudian sailors who came and made this regatta possible -- the race committee and all this -- and it's the same thing ... if you don't keep the old Olympic sailors in international events they will leave the class and maybe go golfing.

"The dinghy club here really gave us a warm feeling. The people here really were involved and showed that they liked to have us here, which gives us spirit.''