Sara Lane Wright's first Olympic campaign ended yesterday much as it began -- at the back of the pack.

Bermuda's 1999 Pan-Am Games silver medallist saved her best 'til last, but it was only a 20th place finish. And that coupled with a dead last 27th in the penultimate race -- race 10 -- left her in 25th position overall in the Europe Dinghy class.

Discarding her worst two finishes, a 26th and 27th, the 33-year-old was left with a disappointing record which read 25-22-21-21-24-23-23-25-20 for a total of 217 points.

Gold medallist Shirley Robertson of Great Britain, fourth at the last Olympics, accumulated just 37, wrapping up victory in Sydney Harbour yesterday with a third place in the last race.

Flying Dutchwoman Margriet Matthysse, the silver medallist in Atlanta four years ago, produced an amazing finish, winning the last race on Thursday and both races yesterday.

But that impressive hat-trick left her still two points shy of Robertson and again she had to settle for silver. Argentina's Serena Amato took the bronze medal with 51 points.

If Wright suffered the torment of failing to meet expectations, following what had been a promising Olympic build-up, she wasn't alone.

Atlanta gold medallist Kristine Roug of Denmark virtually self-destructed, going over the start line early twice during the final four races, which dropped her to 10th overall.

And American Courtenay Dey, who won Olympic bronze four years ago, could finish only 16th in conditions which confounded many of the experts.

Ironically, Wright had few complaints about the fluky winds. Her inability to get off the start line with the fleet leaders persisted throughout the week and in the end cost her dearly.