World Debating Championship -- for the second year in a row.

But officials insisted the five-strong Island team had done the Island proud, despite their ninth place finish.

And Bermuda Debating Society spokesman Roger Crombie said the Bermuda team was determined to make it third time lucky next year.

"With a score of five wins and three losses they were tied with England and Wales,'' he explained."The competition rules require that the number of judges who voted in favour of the winning team of each debate be added up.

"When the calculations were made, England persuaded 16 judges, Wales 15 judges and Bermuda 14 judges.'' And he said that the local team of Berkeley Institute's Eugene Johnston and Jordan Zancanella, Mount Saint Agnes' Jennifer Rhind, and co-captains Trevor Leitch of Saltus and Rahsan Smith of Berkeley performed magnificently against the world's best.

"To have beaten five opponents out of eight is a measure of just how well trained and innovative our young people can be,'' Mr. Crombie said. "Having knocked on the door in two consecutive world championships, we look forward to that door opening next year in Israel.'' Jordan Zancanella told The Royal Gazette just after their unanimous victory over Argentina yesterday that the entire championship was a terrific learning experience.

"I have met people from all over the world and learned a lot,'' he said.

Eugene Johnston said the team had shown Bermuda's debaters could hold their own among the world's best.

Debaters "If we don't get into the quarter finals, then it is just one of those things,'' he said. "But we will know that we can compete with anyone anywhere in the world.'' Both debaters were looking forward to next year's competition but co-captain Rahsan Smith was undecided about his plans.

Australia, Wales, Scotland, England, US, Singapore, New Zealand and Pakistan will compete in today's quarter finals.

And tonight the quarter finals of the individual competition will be held at the Mariners Club.

All 72 debaters were entered in the individual competition. American Hanna Choi, Scotland's Kirsty McNeill, Australia's Philippa Webb and Roger Wong, New Zealand's Jonathan Wallbridge and Anna Livesey, and Pakistan's Riaz Hussain and Bilala Ahsan Malik will take part tonight.

EDUCATION ED