Veteran Neil Burnie, Scott Mello and Martin Vezina surfed against 30 competitors from 12 nations in 12 to 35 knot winds.

In slalom racing, Vezina placed 17th and Mello 20th. The races saw 15 boards heading simultaneously into a 30 knot jibe, which resulted in numerous crashes and plenty of high speed overtaking manoeuvres.

Burnie, meanwhile, placed a creditable fourth in the Super Masters (40 and over), finishing behind winner Pieter Zweers of Bonaire, runner-up Wolfgang Ricke of Germany and third-placed Renato Pozolo if Brazil.

Burnie, with a second place in jibe slalom and a third in course racing, was in contention for the overall title heading into the final long distance race.

He was in eighth place overall and second among the Super Masters at the first mark, and gaining on the leaders, when a broken boom cleat dropped him into last place.

After derigging and jury rigging his sail, he was able to regain fourth place in his division to get back to fourth overall in the Super Masters fleet.

On the final day of racing, Burnie recorded 33.7 knots in the speed trials to take second place overall and first in the amateur division.

BMX RACING CYC BMX racing is becoming a regular feature at the new Devonshire Community Field on North Shore.

Races took place for the third time this year last Saturday following events on Good Friday and May 24, and organisers are planning future races on every third Saturday.

"Around 40 kids were at the field on Saturday and 20 took part in the race, ranging in age from four to 16,'' said Keith Simmons, a member of the organising Devonshire committee.

All of the races are free of charge.

"We are trying to promote unity in the community and keep kids off the street and out of trouble,'' added Simmons.

The Devonshire Community Field also boasts a soccer pitch for the pee wee leagues and the mini minors, and a basketball court.

The committee is currently trying to raise funds to provide more safety equipment for the youngsters.