The broad smile on the face of Mathieu Richard probably best summed up the way the Frenchman felt about winning a first King Edward VII Gold Cup on another wet and shifty day of match racing in Hamilton harbour yesterday.

Richard defeated Sweden's Bjorn Hansen 2-0 in a best-of-three final that will be long remembered for the spectacular manner in which the world's number two ranked match race skipper made up considerable ground on the penultimate leg to steal victory from the jaws of certain defeat.

Trailing Richard 0-1 after the opening flight, Hansen's fortunes seemed to have taken a turn for the better when he jumped out to a commanding, seven boat-length lead. But heading to the last beat on the final leg, Richard read a shift to the right of the course to perfection and rolled across his Swedish rival's bow on starboard and covered him with spinnakers in full bloom all the way to the Leeward finish.

It was a stroke of genius that even the soft-spoken Richard himself could not explain after taking the traditional victory plunge in the harbour.

"I think it really was our week, we just couldn't lose and I don't know why," he said. "Everything worked perfectly onboard and we also had some luck when we needed it. We caught a small shift and had better speed and managed to pass Bjorn and his team. And to win such a prestigious event is such a big thing for us, of course, and we are so happy.

"It is fantastic to win this contest and we have had a great week." Runner-up Hansen was left looking for answers.

"I wish someone can tell me what happened. Suddenly, from being seven boat-lengths behind, Mathieu was right there," he said.

"It was just one of those days when luck is not on your side." Both Richard and Hansen recorded convincing 3-0 wins over Americas Cup winner Ed Baird and Bermuda's Blythe Walker respectively on Saturday to advance to yesterday's final.

Baird, however, bounced back on the final day of the prestigious regatta to beat Walker 2-0 to clinch the Petite final.

Walker again struggled at the line and was never able to get from underneath his American rival who covered him like a glove.

"We obviously didn't get the boat off the line well enough and Ed (Baird) did a great job staying ahead," the former Olympian said. "Today's racing was definitely a tricky affair. But it was a great race and it is always great to race Ed. I'd just like to thank my team of Adam Barboza, Somers Kempe and Carola Cooper who really did a great job of getting us around the track and all of Bermuda for their support. This is an awesome event and may it long continue."

Walker's compatriot Glenn Astwood finished eighth during Saturday's consolation races.

For 1995 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Baird, yesterday marked the fourth time he has finished third in the Gold Cup.

"Maybe one day we will break the curse," the affable skipper smiled. "It's nice to win on Sunday and these guys (Walker and crew) put up a great battle."

At press time last night final results of the Renaissance Re Junior Gold Cup had not been established due to ongoing protests.

The King Edward VII Gold Cup is the 13th stage of the World Match Racing Tour and also the oldest match racing trophy in the world for competition involving one-design yachts.