A flawless performance yesterday at the National Match Racing Championships gave the Bermuda sailor a berth in the Brut Gold Cup, beginning October 6. And he'll be hoping for similar results when he takes on the world's finest match-racers in the $100,000 event, including another Island sailor, Glenn Astwood.

Yesterday Bromby swept Astwood in their best-of-three final, completing a day in which he dispensed of all six of his opponents.

He was tied with Astwood and three others at 2-1 after the first three races of the round-robin last week and then went 4-0 yesterday to earn his pick of a semi-finalist. Meanwhile, there was a scrum behind him, with Astwood finishing in a four-way tie for second at 4-3.

The odd man out was Paul Fisher, who had the misfortune of drawing Bromby in his final race, while Paula Lewin defeated her brother, Andreas.

Lewin took fourth ahead of Fisher and Adam Barboza beat out Astwood for second based on head-to-head results during the round-robin.

But Astwood reversed things in the semi-final to set up a showdown with Bromby, who defeated Paula Lewin in his semi.

All eight competitors were sailing identical Etchells-class 22-footers, switching boats after each race in what is supposed to be a true test of ability.

Astwood, who represented the Island in the Seoul Olympics and was an alternate in the Los Angles Games, was attempting match-racing for just the second time -- and first time in four years.

"This year I just thought, what the heck,'' said Astwood, who had Dennis Correia and Michael Tatem as crew.

Later he called the experience enjoyable and challenging -- particularly matching wits with Bromby, probably's Bermuda's current top sailor and an Olympian at this year's Games in Atlanta.

"It's one-on-one, just you against the other guy,'' said Astwood. "Just like gladiators.'' Yesterday, Bromby, with Clive Thatcher and Martin Siese as his crew, was the biggest and baddest of the gladiators.

In his first flight of the final, he blew past Astwood on the second of three short runs -- with a little help from Paula Lewin and Barboza. Astwood was leading but got tangled up with the pair -- who were duelling in the consolation final -- to give Bromby the opening he needed.

In the second flight, Bromby led from start to finish, with Astwood never coming within a boat length, to capture the Gosling's Black Seal Cup.

Lewin swept Barboza in their series and stands as an alternate for the Brut Gold Cup.

Complete results, Page 22