International Race Week yesterday, while other locals Malcolm Smith, Rudy Bailey and Peter Bromby inched closer to securing titles of their own.

Simmons stepped into the winner's circle when he wrested the Bermuda Race Week Championship A series among the International One Design (IOD) class, as Smith, Bailey and Bromby continued to set the pace among the Laser, Comet and Etchells classes.

The day undoubtedly belonged to the man noted by his trade-mark crew-cut and just as had been the case during the first two days of competition, Simmons was simply superb in his handling of the elegant, slow moving IOD craft, cruising to victory in the morning race -- the last of the initial five race series -- thereby assuring him the title.

The triumph gave Simmons four race victories for the week, with his other placing a fourth during race number four.

Simmons thus deposed American Bill Shore, the 1994 champion who has so far endured a torturous week in the Great Sound.

"It's been a little bit of luck involved and some pleasant sailing,'' said the soft spoken Simmons, long regarded as one of Bermuda's best yachtsman.

"We've been fortunate to get the boats going really well in these conditions, just taking one race at a time and it's worked out pretty well for us.

"We've had good starts and kept our wind clear and been able to keep good boat speed and pick the shifts pretty well and it's just come together for us, but there's still a way to go yet and anything can happen. The competition's very keen, very close and just one little mistake and you can lose many places.'' Simmons, who has won almost everything there is to win in local sailing, said that he remained enthused about the sport and looked forward to the rest of the week with the second IOD series now in progress.

"It's a fun thing these days. We take it very seriously at the time and on the day, but not so seriously that we can't come ashore and joke about some of the mistakes we make.

"We really enjoy the sailing, it's good competition and no matter who wins we're still having fun.

"We need two more good races I would think. We're into a new series and two more good races would stand us in good stead. There is an overall (championship) for the complete week, we just need to stay in there among the first two places and should be all right.

"We've been reading the shifts pretty well, have had good sail trim -- Jay Hooper is on the main sail and trimming it very well -- and we've kept our boat speed up, which seems to be the name of the game, keep the boat going fast... even if it's going in the wrong direction it's important to go fast.'' Just for good measure Simmons yesterday came back following the lunch recess to likewise cross the finish line in front to start off the four race Norwegian Series B.

Asked if he was simply that much better than the remainder of the fleet Simmons quickly retorted: "No! Not by a long shot. You've got some good sailors here, including a world champion who won it last year, Mr. (Bill) Shore, an outstanding sailor who's won it on numerous occasions.

"It just seems that everything's falling in place for us this week, the same regatta next week and you'd have a different winner.'' Standing as Simmons' main challenger for overall honours is Tony Leggett despite recording disappointing fourth and sixth place finishes, while John Burnhan stands third.

Meanwhile, Bromby extended his unbeaten streak among the Etchells to four with two more victories.

Appearing unstoppable throughout, the Somerset resident has reduced the event into a battle for second place, as only some unforeseen disaster will seemingly halt his charge.

"The fat lady hasn't sung yet, but she's warming up,'' said Bromby sounding supremely confident.

Main rival Tim Patton, while not yet ready to wave the white flag, was at odds to explain what could be done to change the scenario.

"I'll never surrender,'' he said. "But I will concede that Peter is sailing at another level than the rest of the fleet.'' Patton recorded a second and sixth on the day to fall into a tie for second with Ted Fort of England, who had finishes of fourth and second.

Also stepping up the pressure was Roger Smith, the International 14 leader who managed two `bullets' to head Canadians Andrew Yates and Peter Hayward with three races left.

In racing just off Spanish Point, Malcolm Smith took over the Laser leadership from early leader James Jacob on the tails of first and third place finishes.

Bailey maintained his perfect record among the Comets with two more wins, as did Chris Field among the JY15 fleet, Donny Martinborough in the Sunfish and Jerry Thompson among the Snipes.

Today has only the J24 class in action in both the morning and afternoon while the remainder enjoy a lay-day.

HOIST THE SPINNAKER -- Americans Roger Smith (left) and Michael Buchanan on their way to victory in the exciting International 14 class yesterday.

PENNY FROM HEAVEN -- Bermuda's Eugene (Penny) Simmons (16) and Greg Mancusi battle for position during yesterday afternoon's race among the IOD class.

Simmons finished first.