skippers battle for four semi-final spots.

However, a tortuous day awaits with strong winds and rough waters expected throughout and crew members can be assured a fair share of bumps and bruises along the way.

All local eyes will be firmly focused on the battle between Bermuda's Peter Bromby and world number two Russell Coutts of New Zealand.

Bromby is undoubtedly the underdog, however he and his crew of Penny Simmons, Dennis Correia and Lee White have shown themselves to be quite formidable in getting this far.

"I think Peter Bromby has proven to be very fast,'' said Coutts yesterday after sailing in the Bank of Butterfield Charity Race. "They know the boats well and it's going to be an exciting match.

"The key will be to sail the boat faster and we'll have to jump particularly hard and tack well tomorrow.'' The Kiwi is hopeful of maintaining momentum garnered through his win at the recent Mazda World Championships where he beat American Kevin Mahaney 2-0 in the final.

In another match-up involving a seeded against an unseeded skipper has two-time Omega Cup champion and Chris Dickson facing German Jorg Diesch, a first round winner over former champion John Kolius.

Diesch dispatched Kolius in three of four races on Wednesday, but Dickson showed why he has few peers in the sport, dismantling Bermudian, Martin Siese, in three straight.

Ranked first for the major part of the last four years, Dickson, who was the helmsman for Nippon Challenge at the 1992 America's Cup, said that he won't underestimate his opponent and would dearly like to win the title for a third time.

"I haven't raced him for a while and he has to have been sailing very well to get to where he has in this regatta. He's had to fight for the position he's got and he'll be tough I'm sure.

Meanwhile, in a clash of giants, fifth seed Ed Baird and number four Paul Cayard hook up.

Baird has had a monopoly on the outside events held during the course of the regatta, winning the Past Commodores Cup on Tuesday as well as yesterday's Charity Race.

"We've sailed Paul in two other events and he's always pretty hard to beat, said Baird. "We have a good record against him so I feel pretty confident.

"The key will be paying attention to the difference between controlling him and controlling your position against these wind shifts because the Harbour is so shifty that you can actually lose by worrying about the other boat, so you have to make that trade.'' Meanwhile defending champion Eddie Warden-Owen has a simple philosophy...just win three races.

And in Dutchman Roy Heiner he meets someone who has handed him one defeat already this year, that at the ACY Cup just last month.

"It was in very difficult conditions so maybe here I can get my own back,'' said the Briton. "He's a good competitor and is certainly picking up the match racing game quickly.'' "The advantage (for me) is having been here and knowing how difficult the wind is and we are very excited about the possibility (of a repeat of last years performance) but it's going to be a tough match that could go either way I'm sure.'' In yesterday's Bank of Butterfield charity race, Ed Baird, representing Summerhaven, placed first, earning the charity $1,500 in the process.

Paul Cayard -- page 39.