The champagne was flowing at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club this week but not for the usual reasons.

With more than 100 yachts yet to make the finish by Wednesday night, wives and friends of those still at sea were partying just the same. Some, however, just couldn't wait any longer.

Susan Pieper, whose husband Ken Ryan is crewing on the 80-foot cruiser Sorcerer , decided last Sunday to play hooky from work, cashing in her air miles and flying to the Island from Annapolis to surprise him.

But on Wednesday, she had to fly back when his yacht was still miles from Bermuda. "I thought it would be a really good surprise for him,'' she said.

"I've done this race three times and this one is the first ocean race in ten years we have not sailed together. I thought they would be in on Monday or Tuesday at the latest.

"Bermuda is one of our favourite spots. We really enjoy it here. So at least I've had a good time.'' Wendy Clarke's husband is on Sorcerer too, although she is here until Saturday. The parents of a 14-month-old baby, this was to be their first vacation together since August, 1996.

"I just had my birthday and got my mother and two sisters to give me a week of baby-sitting as a present. Now we'll be lucky to get a couple of days together.'' THE WAITING GAME -- Wendy Clarke (left) and Susan Pieper were waiting for their husbands to arrive; Pieper couldn't wait past Wednesday and went home -- although she did bring a souvenir programme with her to prove that she was here.