Sara Lane Wright and Adam Barboza made it a magnificent evening for the sport of sailing when they were honoured with Special Achievement Awards at last night's Athlete of the Year ceremonies.

And cyclist Melanie Claude, who in another year might have claimed the Athlete of the Year award for herself, was similarly recognised.

Other recipients of awards, given to athletes who excelled in the last 12 months, were swimmer Stephen Fahy, saluted for setting two Bermuda records at the Pan American Games and qualifying for this year's Olympics, and tennis player Ricky Mallory.

Mallory was recognised for an outstanding year which brought him four out of five singles victories in the Davis Cup in Trinidad and almost total dominance on the local scene.

Wright was among three Bermuda medallists at the Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg, taking silver in the Laser Radials class to crown a year in which she placed second in the Bermuda National Laser Championships and was top female sailor in the Gulf Coast Championship in Houston.

Barboza enjoyed his most successful year to date, winning all 11 races in the Bermuda Match Race Championships which qualified him for the King Edward VII Gold Cup series. He was first in the Etchells class in the Bermuda National Championships in October, while overseas he placed fourth in the Miami Olympic Class Regatta which was contested in Soling boats.

Claude, meanwhile, struck a rich vein of form after deciding to concentrate on cycling instead of triathlon. Choosing to compete against men rather than women, she won Bermuda Bicycle Association's category three male division.

Domestically, she was also female national champion in the time trial event.

But she really excelled overseas, winning the Coupe Des Ameriques in Canada after triumphing in three of the four stages and took a bronze medal in the World B Championships in Uruguay in the time trial.

Sports Citation Awards, presented to those who have distinguished themselves in sports development both past and present, were given to C.H.Ford Hutchings, the 1985 Bermuda Youth Cricket team, the Pro Shop, Webster E.W.Simons, Gary (Doc) Smith and Dennis Wainwright.

Hutchings, the first president of the Bermuda Golf Association and president of the Mid Ocean Club for 14 years, was honoured for his contribution to both golf and cricket, being responsible for the development of the latter's Shell Youth Cricket Tournament.

The 1985 Youth Cricket team, captained by Darrin Lewis, were honoured for winning the International Youth Tournament, defeating England North in the final of the competition, staged on the Island.

The Pro Shop was cited for its sponsorship of road running, specifically the Junior Road Race, while Simons was recognised for his contribution to angling.

Smith was honoured for his contribution to boxing as a coach, trainer and local administrator, while Wainwright, rated as one of the best wicketkeepers of his time by Sir Gary Sobers and Tom Graveney, was recognised for his contributions as player, coach and administrator to cricket, soccer and body building.

A Special Recognition Award went to John Mason for his commitment in organising the Lobster Pot Golf Tournament, one of the Island's most popular invitational tournaments.

And Austin Woods, Bermuda Olympic Association president, won a Special Achievement award for his 30 years' work in an administrative capacity for various sports bodies.

WHO WON WHAT Male Athlete of the Year: Malcolm Smith (sailing) Female Athlete of the Year: MJ Tumbridge (equestrian) Special Achievement Awards: Adam Barboza (sailing); Melanie Claude (cycling); Stephen Fahy (swimming); Ricky Mallory (tennis), Sara Lane Wright (sailing) Special Achievement Award (administration): Austin Woods Sports Citations: C.H.Ford Hutchings; the 1985 Bermuda youth cricket team; the Pro Shop; Webster E.W.Simons; Gary (Doc) Smith; Dennis Wainwright Special Recognition Award: John Mason Something special: Sara Lane Wright (above) and Ricky Mallory (below) both received Special Achievement Awards at last night's ceremony.

Ricky Mallory No caption