Bermuda Sailing Association (BSA) in conjunction with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) were this week bubbling with the news that Gosling's Black Seal have agreed to a three year deal to sponsor the National Match Racing Championships.

As a result the event is to be renamed The Gosling's Black Seal Cup and will take place August 16 and 17, while serving as the qualifying event for the prestigious Gold Cup slated to commence on October 4.

In addition to supporting the National Championships, the company will also sponsor a series of events throughout the year that will qualify skippers from around Bermuda for the eight coveted positions for the finals.

Delighted with the latest developments was BSA president Alan McKay, who said the gesture could only help in the sport's continued growth.

"With the substantial increase in match racing worldwide, we at the Bermuda Sailing Association are very pleased indeed that Goslings, through their sponsorship, have decided to help foster a greater interest in match racing in Bermuda,'' said McKay.

"Their financial support will ensure and enable a greater level of participation by all sailors and classes thereby helping to improve the sailing skills of all sailors in the Island.

"We look forward to working with them to ensure that the event receives the support that it deserves.'' Skippers competing in the qualifying events will receive Grade Four ranking points which contribute to the Omega World Match Race Sailing Rankings, while the Gosling's Black Seal Cup finals have been confirmed as a Grade Three event.

By comparison the Gold Cup is among the highest ranked world events, carrying Grade One status.

"We are very excited to be a part of creating the Gosling's Black Seal Cup and the series leading up to the finals and eventually the Gold Cup,'' said Charles Gosling, Marketing Manager for Gosling Brothers Ltd. "Our goal is for this series to help further develop international sailing opportunities for all Bermudians and allow them the stepping stones to international competition.

The top two Bermudian teams from the finals will qualify to compete in the Gold Cup as Team Black Seal.

Last year three Bermudians sailed in the Gold Cup, with Glen Astwood and Adam Barboza emerging from the National Championships, while Peter Bromby was invited as a seeded skipper.

New Zealand's Russell Coutts, who is also the reigning America's Cup winning helmsman, eventually won the Gold Cup, beating Australia's Peter Gilmour in the final.