Sweden's Johnie Berntsson will return to Bermuda in October to defend his 2008 title in the Argo Group Gold Cup, hoping to put his name on the trophy for a second time in a row.

Three other previous champions will also return – Mathieu Richard (France), Ian Williams (UK) and three-time winner Peter Gilmour (Australia).

Match racing is set to begin on October 6 with Royal Bermuda Yacht Club again the hosts.

Berntsson, who finished sixth in 2007 and then first in 2008, commented on his title defence. "I have a good feeling coming back to Bermuda. It will be a great challenge to defend the Gold Cup knowing the abilities the other teams have. We look forward to racing here again and seeing just how we handle the pressure.

"We like the match racing arena in the colourful harbour in Hamilton. The historical story about the Gold Cup event that now has lasted for over 100 years is something that the other events on the World Match Racing Tour can't come close to.

"Not many other sailing events at all and not many other worldwide sports events in general can compare with the Gold Cup tradition."

Berntsson admitted the entry list this year was impressive and he expected "some really spectacular racing."

"The other three previous Gold Cup champions have proven their skills in the Bermuda conditions and in the IOD (International One Design) and will all be strong opponents. I think it will all come down to who is having fun and sailing well on the water. These teams have all proved they can win in Bermuda.

"There are also other good competitors like last year's runner-up Adam Minoprio (New Zealand) and Ben Ainslie (UK) who was third or the other Swedes, Mattias Rahm (fourth in 2008) and Bjorn Hansen and a lot of others who have the capabilities to win. I think all these teams will make it a tough competition."

"With such an impressive entry list, it will be interesting to see who will be the winner. Believe me, we will try our best."

Twenty-two of the teams for this year's event have now been selected and confirmed. They include ten of the top 11 teams on the 2009 World Match Racing Tour (WMRT).

The two other teams will be the winners of the New York Knickerbocker Cup and the Bermuda National Match Racing Championships.

Sixteen teams will be eliminated in the first three days of racing leaving the top eight teams to battle for a finals slot and a shot at the $50,000 first place prize. The second through eighth place teams will divide the rest of the $100,000 total purse.

Mathieu Richard, sailing for the French Match Racing Team, now ranks first on the Tour and second in the ISAF rankings.

He won the King Edward VII Gold Cup Trophy in 2007 and placed eighth last year.

Ian Williams won in 2006 but finished out of the top eight in 2007. Last year had an excellent start but faded to fifth in the end. He is ranked fifth on the tour and second by ISAF.