$1,000 winner-take-all Bermuda Commercial Bank Challenge, but the real war starts today, as the first round of the Omega Gold Cup gets underway.

Seeded skippers battle against the unseeded qualifiers during the first round in Hamilton Harbour.

Defending champion Russell Coutts gets his first taste of serious action when he faces final qualifier Makoto Namba of Japan. The Kiwi will be hoping for better luck than in the practice round that saw him lose three of four races.

He will also want to quiet Namba, who made statements to the effect that he would effect an early return trip for Coutts.

"If he beats us we'll be staying on,'' answered Coutts when told the prediction. "We've got plenty else to do. We're staying at the Belmont and have a lot of golf to play.'' Coutts has earned the respect of his peers. Triumphs at the World Championships last month, the Nippon Cup and two other major regattas this year have earned him the world's top ranking.

Still, it may take some time getting used to the slow reacting IODs and unpredictable breezes Bermuda is noted for.

"It's going to be tough,'' said Coutts. "These boats are always a bit tough to get used to and it's always hard the first few days.

"In the past we've always started slowly and who knows what our finish is going to be like.'' Local favourite Peter Bromby was inactive yesterday, but his opponent today -- world number two Peter Gilmour -- was able to get a good look at the surroundings and was optimistic about his chances.

"We've got to sail as well as we can,'' said Gilmour. "Obviously Peter's been sailing very well and knows the boats.

"He probably will have better boat speed than us in a straight line as he's had a bit of experience in them.

"It's just the tracking here...you just don't know where the wind's going to come from.'' Also in the back of his mind was a final round loss to Coutts back in 1990 and this could make for as grudge match if the pair happen to meet again.