Bromby's grasp it was yesterday left for the rest of the fleet to battle for the lower positions as the IOD World Championship drew to its conclusion.

In the absence of the world champion -- Bromby used the final race as his throw-away -- it was left for another local to step to the fore and Martin Siese became the torch-bearer.

Siese, who had suffered through a miserable week that had him suffer two breakdowns and a pair of 10th-place finishes, shone bright on this day with a remarkable triumph.

After being over the line at the gun he was forced to restart, placing him at the rear of the fleet. However, not only did he make up the difference, but actually led at the first windward mark and from there pressed further his advantage.

His margin of victory at the end was more than 10 boatlengths ahead of second-place finisher Bill Widnall of the United States. John Burnham was third and Henry Mettier fourth.

Race six winner Penny Simmons could only manage sixth, but this was enough to give him 203 points, good for second overall behind Bromby (11 points) and just beat out Widnall by a single point.

Cindy Young of the race organising committee said that it had been an eventful week of sailing and an enjoyable one for all concerned.

"I think it went beautifully,'' she said. "We had a week with light winds, heavy winds and today was just glorious with 10 to 12-knot breezes.

"So we gave them a taste of everything Bermuda had to offer.''