status after seizing the title at the International One Design World Championships in Sweden.

The triumph marks the fourth time Simmons has achieved the distinction, adding to a remarkable career.

Such was the domination of the Bermudian that he need not have sailed in yesterday's final race of the eight-race series. Simmons had secured the top spot a day earlier when he recorded his second first place finish of the regatta.

The veteran's impressive string of results read 4-2-1-4-2-(8)-1 for an unassailable total of 14 with one race to go (results from the final race were unavailable at press time). Closest to Simmons was Marblehead's Bruce Dyson, seven points back on 21, while Fishers Island's John Burnham stood a further two points back.

Warm, sunny skies and moderate westerly breezes greeted competitors for the seventh race, with a 320-degree course set. Dyson and Sweden's Hans Johansson went south looking for a building sea breeze off the starting line, however when they got to the weather mark they found company from the right in the form of Kevin Farrar, Burnham and that man Simmons.

Johansson led around the mark closely followed by Simmons, Farrar, Dyson and Burnham. Simmons and Farrar got a little too close for comfort, resulting in the latter launching a protest, which was eventually disallowed.

For the rest of the outing the call was to play the shifts and stay in phase, which Simmons did beautifully, working through from the right side on the second beat to round abreast of Johansson, followed by Burnham, Dyson, Farrar and Norway's Jan Petter Roed.

The final beat saw Simmons and Burnham choose the right side gate going upwind and Johansson, Dyson and Farrar go left. Simmons' decision ultimately paid off as he beat Burnham and the rest of the fleet across the line.

Sweden marked the second time the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club member had won the title in Europe, having also won in Norway in 1995. He was similarly successful in New York (1997).