Battling gusty 18 to 20-knot breezes, the duo placed sixth in the final race enabling them to move from third to second in what skipper Bromby described as his "best regatta ever''.

"This is just what we needed,'' said an ecstatic Bromby after his best finish ever in the regatta since a seventh place finish back in 1992.

"We came in a little down after the CanAm regatta.

"The most exciting thing was that the boat was going so much better. It opened up our eyes to see that we have to try to experiment a bit more with the craft. Before the start of the regatta we did some adjustments to the rig and as a result the boat speed was much better.'' Overnight leaders Ross MacDonald and crew Bruce MacDonald of Canada ensured their first Bacardi Cup championship in sailing to ninth to go with three third-place finishes and a first, taking into account a drop race.

MacDonald beat Bromby by four points, 19 compared to 23 for the local, with reigning Olympic Gold medallist Mark Reynolds (24) third.

Vince Brun won the final race followed by the flamboyant Cayard, with Reynolds third.

Adding to the rich feeling of the achievement for Bromby was the quality of the field conquered by the 29-year-old.

America's Cup skipper Paul Cayard, Reynolds, and a host of past winners and full-time, professional yachtsmen were left in the wake.

"These guys here, `there's no dirt on them', they're top class,'' continued Bromby. "(But) I'm always confident that I can sail smart and as tactically as the others.'' Bromby noted that a victory in the opening race really sparked this year's challenge and while it would be his only `bullet' he managed to sail consistently well throughout.

RUNNERS-UP -- Peter Bromby, right, and Lee White.