who secured places in the prestigious event yesterday after two straight wins each over their opponents in the qualifying regatta.

Bromby who defeated William White, and Walker who defeated Timmy Patton, went on to battle it out for the Bank of Bermuda Cup in the afternoon.

Defending champion Bromby managed to hold onto the trophy, defeating Walker by seconds in the first race, but by more than half a course leg in the second race.

"Blythe is always a viable opponent,'' Bromby said after the finals, held in Hamilton Harbour in light winds.

He felt he and crew Lee White, Penny Simmons and Dennis Correia could have done better with a little more practice.

"It's going to be tough but we are looking to practise hard,'' he said of the upcoming Omega Gold Cup.

Walker, whose crew included Scott Simmons, Todd Irving and Michael Tatem, felt he performed better against Patton in the semifinals. "It was just some good match racing practice out there,'' he said of the final, adding the shifty winds had not helped.

It will be 25-year-old Walker's fifth Gold Cup appearance -- he did not compete last year.

The day's racing, which got under way at 11 p.m., saw no upsets -- and hardly any thrills.

But with 24 confirmed entries, in which 13 America's Cup teams will be represented, the Omega Gold Cup, starting October 17, promises some exciting sailing.

Bromby and Walker's first duel in the best-of-three final probably offered the most excitement. But the traditional `hunts', in which the teams circle the start boat, trying to be first across the line in the allotted time (the starboard boat having right of way), made for some tense moments.

Second-race semifinal duels between Walker and Patton, and Bromby and White, also saw some fierce competition between the four skippers as they tried to break out of overlaps.

But Walker managed to outdo Patton, while Bromby defeated White having forced him to incur a penalty turn.

Bromby and Walker crossed the start line almost together in their first match-up in the final.

But the world IOD champion soon broke away and gained more than five boatlengths on Walker. However, Walker managed to close the gap after taking the initiative in a gybe while Bromby encountered spinnaker trouble.

The two boats were briefly overlapped, but Bromby, staying in the wind, soon gained speed and sprinted ahead.

In the second race, Bromby was clearly over the line first. Both skippers had claimed infringements but judges ruled no contest in each case.

Bromby gained a substantial lead early in the race, out-sailing Walker the rest of the way.

In the consolation final between Patton and White, a newcomer to match racing, Patton's experience gave him the advantage at the start line.

In the second race, Patton forced White to cross the start line prematurely and have to turn back. He gained a substantial lead, winning by more than a leg.

The first race had been closer with Patton and White neck and neck for about two legs. But Patton managed to break away and maintained the lead the rest of the way.

Patton, placing third overall, said he was disappointed in his performance against Walker in the semifinals, admitting he had been "intimidated'' by the skipper.

"I should have given Blythe a better race,'' he said. "We were certainly capable of giving much better than we did.'' Patton's crew consisted of Derek Ratteray, Kevin Blee and Christine Campbell.

He had never intended to take part in the Omega Gold Cup if he qualified because he was on the race committee.

White, a Fitted Dinghy skipper, has been the only surprise in the Bank of Bermuda Cup races.

His only match racing experience has been an historic annual duel between dinghies Elizabeth , which he skippers, and Victory .

Admitting he was the dark horse, White said: "I'm just pleased to have made it this far.'' White and the other three skippers were among eight top local sailors who vied for two places in the Gold Cup, in its 54th year of competition here.

Henry Smith, senior vice-president of the Bank of Bermuda, which sponsors Bermuda's hopefuls, said: "They got a little taste last year of how good our talent is.'' He was referring to Bromby making it to the semifinals.

Omega Gold Cup organiser American Scott McLeod said this year would see the "best line-up ever''.

A total prize purse of $80,000 is offered, with the winner taking home $30,000 and a gold watch.

SMOOTH SAILING -- Peter Bromby and crew sail their way to victory yesterday in the Bank of Bermuda Cup finals against Blythe Walker in Hamilton Harbour.

Bromby and Walker will represent Bermuda in next month's Omega Gold Cup against the world's best match racers.