the winners rejoiced in the spoils of victory following the conclusion of International Race Week.

Peter Bromby, Eugene (Penny) Simmons and Roger Ewart Smith placed a final stamp on the regatta, wrapping up the last three classes to be decided and bringing what had been a momentous week of sailing.

None were more joyful than Ewart Smith, who not only captured the top prize as the International 14 champ, but doubled up in seizing the North American Championship, which was run in conjunction with the main regatta.

Not only did the transplanted Englishman win, but he all but annihilated the fleet over the seven race series and even eschewed the duties of skippering for the day, instead allowing local-based 14 racer Ted Wood to stand in and guide the craft during the final outing.

However, the end came as somewhat anti-climactic after an enthralling first five days, with the light and variable winds making for a marathon finish in the Great Sound.

Such was the lack of breeze that only the International 14 and Etchells class were able to complete the course in the prescribed time limit, while the slower International One Design (IOD) had their race abandoned.

Yet nothing but nothing could diminish the jubilation of Ewart Smith as he and Wood toasted a bottle of Moet as their reward.

"We were lucky enough to clinch it yesterday, because today would have been a horrible day to have a sail-off with the really light wind,'' said Ewart Smith, who gave particular credit to his Australian crewman Michael Buchanan.

"It's tremendous (to win). We're quite used to sailing against the Canadians, because it's not a million miles away and we're quite used to going up and sailing against them and they often come down to Annapolis (Maryland), where we have an east coast fleet, and sail against us.

"It was a tremendous regatta in that we had really varied conditions. We had sort of moderate winds the first two days, where you were sort of two-wiring upwind and downwind and it was very comfortable and tactical and a lot of boat speed. Then we had one day where it really blew, which is real exciting with these boats and requires good boat handling and you have to be in control and not make mistakes.

"And then today was the light race and all I could say was that we were really pleased we had sealed it by then.'' Second overall was Louis Phillips of the United States, with fellow American David Klipfel third.

Bermudian Simmons, while suffering the disappointment of having a final race IOD triumph wiped out by the light air, was just as joyful in his seizing of the `triple crown' as A and B series and overall winner.

Simmons had six individual race wins over the week and was only denied a seventh when the race committee annulled yesterday's final race because of the elapsed time, with Simmons just three boat lengths from the finish.

"You can say it was just another time at the office,'' said Simmons with a slight chuckle. "We were fortunate. as I said earlier, the wind sort of favoured us on a great many occasions and this morning we were lucky to get going well early.

"We kept getting to the new wind first, but unfortunately we didn't finish in time and missed it by a few boat lengths.

"But I think it was a good exercise and we enjoyed it.

"It was a good week. The crew worked well, handled the sails well and it turned out well for us.

"It's nice to know that we're still competitive and, if we put our minds together we can still go out there and do well.'' Second to the Bermudian was Harald Edegron, while John Burnham clinched third.

The fates were not kind toward defending champion Bill Shore of Massachusetts, who struggled throughout the week, ending up eighth.

Another foregone conclusion was the Etchells, where Peter Bromby and his crew of Lee White and Clive Thatcher had dominated, with four wins in six races.

Bromby was third yesterday, but that result mattered little.

And having won the IOD class on numerous occasions the burly Bromby was pleased to secure his first Etchells championship.

"It's nice to win it for the first time, just as with anything the first time is always good,'' said Bromby, who again showed his adaptability to varying craft and conditions. "We've been sailing the boat now for almost a year.

"We certainly miss the IOD, but at the same time we enjoy the Etchells.

Generally we were happy with the way it went -- we would have liked to see a little more breeze today -- we were good when the breeze came in, but when it went it was a bit of a roll of the dice.

"For us this is just a matter of using it to keep our hand in the boat, we're concentrating on the Stars and that's our main programme, so for us it was just another regatta to do at home and get a chance for people to see us and strut our stuff here in the Island... Today has the final curtain with a prize giving ceremony taking place at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (6.30-8.00 p.m.).