World Championship recently.

Smith, second in the last two events, finally overcame the challenge of P.J.

Patton and Cor Van Aanholt to win the eight-race series, staged off Long Island, New York, by one point.

In strong winds whipped up by the presence of Hurricane Bonnie along the American east coast, Smith recorded placings of 1-3-7-8-4-5-1-2 to take the title.

In fact, so worried were organisers by Bonnie's path that they delayed the rest day to avoid being caught out. That meant three successive days of competition for the 100-strong fleet.

In the event, the drama went down to the very last race, with Patton needing a victory or to beat Smith by two boats to win the regatta.

And when Patton's rudder broke in half during the last race, the pressure on Smith increased.

"At that point I thought the jury were going to award him his position -- which they did -- which meant I had to finish second or third. I made it to second and won by one point,'' said Smith.

"I knew it would be tough in the last race because we all had chances to win the regatta. This time it just seems that the tables were turned my way. It felt good to win after coming second for the last two years.'' Smith, like Patton and Van Aanholt a former champion, added: "It was good to get the trophy back to the Island. I've been sailing Sunfish for more than 23 years.'' However, he pinpointed the fifth race of the series, the only one contested in light air, as important to his challenge.

"That started in a breeze of perhaps two miles per hour and that really mixed up the fleet. I managed to place fourth, rounding the first mark in the top 10. Then the wind picked up to about 8-10 knots. Most of those who had got ahead were fairly light sailors and that helped me out.

"P.J. came in 29th, I think, and Cor seventh, so I pulled off the best finish which helped my standings.'' MALCOLM SMITH