finals of the International Debating Championships in Israel despite its best showing ever.

Bermuda Debating Society chairman Terry Lister last night said the heart-breaking news came after the local team of Jennifer Rhind, Jordan Zancanella, Trevor Leitch, Vincent Richardson and Ian Ostroff-Striffler tied for eighth spot.

On Tuesday it appeared as though the team was set to clinch a place in quarter finals.

Yesterday morning the team beat Israel, but an afternoon loss to the United Kingdom put the them in the precarious tie situation.

"The decision went to the judges,'' Mr. Lister explained. "They tallied the total number of judges that voted for and against Bermuda.

"Sixteen voted for us and eight voted against us. We were one judge short and we were pushed out of the quarter finals.'' Mr. Lister said this was the third time a local team has narrowly missed reaching the quarter finals.

"The team has done very well,'' he said. "Six wins and two loses is the best record we've ever had. But once again we were knocked out by the margin of one judge.

"The team is disappointed,'' he added.

The debaters will return to the Island this weekend.