Had the luck been a bit different, the Island could have yesterday been celebrating its first capture of the Bermuda Gold Cup since the race became part of the Swedish Match Tour calendar.

In a heroic effort, local skipper Peter Bromby came within a race of advancing to the final on Saturday and yesterday defeated match-racing world champion Karol Jablonski of Poland to take third place and $7,000 in the prestigious event.

Reflecting on yesterday's 2-0 triumph and the fact that he was 2-1 up against Danish skipper Jes Gram-Hansen in Saturday's semi-final before losing 3-2, Bromby said: “Overall I am pleased but I am a little disappointed. I can't help but think - when I see this boat coming in with the Danish winner and his flag flying - it would have been nice if it were the Bermuda flag.

“I think we were close and I think it was realistic that could have happened. There's not a lot in it.

“Very often we hear that we in Bermuda can't compete (internationally). The reality is yes we can, especially in the sport of sailing. It's one arena Bermuda can compete in and - with a few breaks and with guys putting in the effort - we can rise to the top of the world stage.”

The Ace-sponsored sailor credited his crew of Leatrice Roman, Christian Luthi and Kees Van Beelen for an outstanding job throughout the week.

“This is my second year sailing with them at the Gold Cup and the difference between last year and this year, in terms of what they can do on the boat, is tremendous. I am really happy with that. Next year, we're only going to be better and we'll be waiting for them when they (foreign competitors) come back.”

In Saturday's other semi-final, Denmark's Jesper Radich, the eventual winner, defeated Jablonski 3-2. Meanwhile, Mikael Lindqvist of Sweden took fifth, Bermuda's Paula Lewin, sixth, Swede Mattias Rahm, seventh, and Steffan Lindberg of Finland, eighth.