Eight-year-old Elizabeth Brewin and older competitors Keira Aitken and Jessica Sousa set new records while each won their age groups as high point winners in the three session event. They were joined by Alex Barker as a winner in the 10-and-under division and Anastasia Lau in the 12-and-under division. Honours for the boys went to Philip Lawrence, Geoffrey Smith, Roy Allan Burch, Michael O'Connor and Graham Smith. Brewin ended her record breaking season with eight wins in eight events and broke her own record in the 50 metre freestyle, lowering her own time from 38.64 seconds to 36.59 seconds. She then swam 16.97 seconds in the 25 metre freestyle, setting an additional mark in the shorter distance. Keira Aitken, swimming in the 13-14 division, bettered two records previously held by Jennifer Smatt which had been in the record book since the summer of 1989. Aitken swam times of 1:2.23 in the 100 metre freestyle and 28.14 seconds in the 50 metre freestyle with the latter time shaving two hundredths of a second off the earlier mark.

Yet it was Jessica Sousa who erased one of the oldest records from the books.

Sue Babinsee swam 34.02 in the 15-18 division's 50 metre backstroke in 1979 and nobody had bettered the time in over 19 years. But Sousa's time of 33.06 seconds reduced this by almost a full second and added to the records she had set earlier this season.

Both Michael O'Connor and Phillip Lawrence won all eight of their events and Roy Allan Burch and Keira Aitken retained the trophies that they won last year.

The Winter Age Group Championships concluded the successful schedule for 1998 which saw swimmers representing Bermuda at the Caribbean Championships in July, the Central American Championships in August and the Commonwealth Games in September.

CYCLING CYC Over 100 cyclist gathered on Front Street on Sunday morning to show their respect for Sinclair Packwood who died suddenly last week.

With Packwood's wife Maria and two young daughters in attendance, the riders heard a prayer from his longtime friend and top cyclist Clarkie Tear. Bermuda Bicycle Association president Greg Hopkins called for a one minute silence, asking those present to close their eyes and picture Packwood crossing the finishing line on Front Street which was the site of many of his Sprint Championship wins with his trademark smile and arms raised in victory. The riders then embarked on a 15-mile ride that organiser Hopkins deliberately chose to follow the finishing route of the Heritage Day Road Race as the riders left Hamilton with some riders pausing at the finish line on Cedar Avenue where Packwood won the prestigious race in 1992 and 1993 -- the only rider to record back to back victories.

Following the conclusion of the ride Mrs. Packwood spoke briefly to the large crowd thanking them for their support and urging them to ensure the continued growth of the sport her husband loved.

Donations for the Sinclair Packwood benefit can still be made at Winners Edge on Church Street, Hamilton.