Brian Wellman's indifferent form of the late 1990s continued in the Winnipeg University Stadium last night when he could manage only a fourth place finish in the final of the Pan-Am Games triple jump.

Normally one place out of a medal position at this level of competition might be considered a noteworthy performance. But by the standard Wellman set in 1995 with gold at the Indoor Worlds in Barcelona and silver at the Gothenburg World Championships, this was anything but.

Back in those days the Arkansas-based athlete regularly went over 17 metres, hitting a best of 17.8.

Last night in a field devoid of most of the world's top jumpers, apart from the Cubans, his best was 16.32.

He walked out of the Stadium with coach Gerry Swan and BTFA president Judy Simmons, refusing to make any comment on his performance.

Gold went to the favourite, Cuba's Yoelbi Quesada who had five leaps over 17 metres, the best being 17.19, and bronze to his compatriot Michael Calvo who jumped 17.03. Splitting the two and taking silver was American Lamark Carter with a best of 17.09.

A mediocre field of nine assembled for the final with the top eight after three jumps advancing to a second round of three further jumps. Wellman came dangerously close to being the first man eliminated when he fouled out on his opening two efforts before producing his best of the night, 16.32, with his third.

He then went 16.04 before fouling out twice more.

Earlier a disconsolate Terrance Armstrong left the track after placing eighth in the men's 1500 metres final in a time of 3:46.99 -- more than five seconds slower than his personal best.

The 28-year-old remained in contention right up until the bell lap when he tripped on the heels of a runner who cut in front and lost precious ground.

By the time he regained his composure the race for the finish was on and Armstrong too far adrift to get back in touch.

Victory went to Canada's national champion Graham Hood in a relatively pedestrian 3:41.20, silver to American Michael Stember (3:41.96) and bronze to Brazil's Hudson Sousa (3:42.18).

"I ran myself out of contention. I couldn't blame the runner in front, it was my own fault,'' said Armstrong afterwards. "He cut directly in front of me and it was kind of tough to regather myself because as soon as I lost stride they started to roll into the last lap and gain momentum.

"I felt great even I though I kept having to break my stride. With 300 metres to go I started to make a move but with about 100 left I knew I'd given them too much room to make up.

"It's been a great season and I didn't want to end it like this. I figured it was going to be a tactical race and it was, but unfortunately I got it wrong.'' Of times run this year, Armstrong's 3:42.2 was sixth best in the field, although he recorded a personal best of 3:41.97 last season.

He went into the race hoping to lower that PB to at least 3:39.5 which would have qualified him for the World Track and Field Championships in Seville, Spain, in two weeks' time when Wellman will be the Island's only representative.

However, Armstrong's time still marked a huge improvement on his performance at the Pan-Ams in Argentina four years ago when he finished eighth in the final in 3:53.71 Victory joy: Graham Hood of Canada comes home first in the 1500 metres.

Bermuda's Terrance Armstrong was eighth.