But while they may insist that familiarity breeds success, the same claim will probably not be made by another competitor, Shirley Wildi, who is also chasing her sixth gross title -- with yet another partner! Wildi, who partnered Noreen McKay to win the first gross title in 1986, was part of the first three winning teams in the gross division.

The following year she and Ruth Ancott were the winners before Daintry Snyder became Wildi's partner in 1988 and won.

As defending champion Wildi is bidding to match her feat in the 1980s by winning the Bobbie Park trophy three straight years. In '92 she and Reggie Hawes were the winners, before Wildi defended her title with Frankie Stearns last year.

In search of three straight wins for the second time, Wildi will team up with fellow Canadian Daintry Snyder, who hails from Waterloo, Ontario this week.

"I pick my partners carefully,'' Wildi joked this week.

Wildi, a Bermuda resident, says she does not know much about the competition this year but promised: "We will go out with anticipation and a lot of enthusiasm.'' The defending net champions, which is the major aspect of the tournament, are Sally Madden of Bermuda and Barbara Bennett of Florida. They can expect still competition from the likes of McLaughlin and Colhoun, Madeline Joell-Warren and Janina Jacobs and Ivy Rosser and Ginette Spinucci.

Madden and Bennett were also the winners in 1990 while local resident McLaughlin and Colhoun of Canada won in 1985, '86, '88, '89 and '92. The net division is played for the Arton Trophy.

This year's tournament has a record field of 54 pairs. The events ends on Friday.