Athens Regatta 2002, the first test event for the 2004 Athens Olympics, was completed yesterday with organizers professing satisfaction with the result.

“We acquired valuable experience that will help us with the actual Games... with each such event, we will be gaining in self-confidence and speed,” Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, president of Athens 2004, the organizing committee, said.

Preparations for the Athens Olympics have faced considerable criticism over delays. Recently, both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and individual international sports federations have expressed their satisfaction that things are getting back on track.

“When we came here in 1999, we were very demanding about how things ought to be done... they (the organizers) have done more that we expected,” said Paul Henderson, president of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

Competitors also were positive about the facilities, although the sailing center at Aghios Kosmas, a seaside Athens suburb, is not yet complete. The main problem actually faced by the 507 athletes from 40 countries during the eight days of competition was the weather; rain forced cancellation of all races on Sunday and a lack of wind led to individual races being called off on some days, including yesterday, when the men’s and women’s Mistral (windsurfing) Class was canceled.

It wouldn’t have mattered anyway for Nikos Kaklamanakis, the 34-year-old gold medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, who was comfortably — 17 penalty points — ahead of his nearest rival, James Wells of New Zealand.

The other Greek win came in the women’s 470 class, where Sophia Becatorou and Emilia Tsoulfa did not compete in the final race yesterday but still won easily.