in Hamilton Harbour at the weekend.

Alexandra Crane re-asserted herself after last week's slip to second by taking first for the day in convincing style with four wins out of six races. Second place went to Alexander Lines with two first place finishes.

In the last race of the day Alexandra Crane and Alexander Lines squared off in a fierce battle on an Olympic course that provided lots of excitement for the spectators. Jonathan Carter returned after missing a few weekends to finish third.

Overall for the Winter Series Crane, Lines and Alexander Kirkland took the top three positions with Crane finishing 153 points ahead of Lines, who in turn finished 261 points ahead of Kirkland. Many of the sailors suffered in the overall results by missing a day of racing.

A prize-giving ceremony followed at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club with the top five finishers receiving plaques engraved with the profile of an Optimist and all those present who competed and not collecting trophies received tee shirts for their efforts.

Everyone is reminded of the rules seminar to be given by Tim Patton on December 4 at the RBYC at 1 p.m.

THREE CHEERS -- Optimist race participants following the prize-giving ceremony at the weekend: (Front row, from left to right) Jermaine Simons, Allison Petty, A.J.Crane, Alex Lines, Alex Kirkland, Travis Tucker and John Paul Doughty; (middle row) Lexi McDonald, Chris Mayne, Jonathan Carter, Sharmani Tharmotheram, Charlie Simmons; (back row) RBYC commodore Brian Billings and rear commodore Bruce Lines.