the this year's seeded skippers -- rocked organisers on Wednesday with news of his withdrawal from the regatta which starts on Sunday.

The American sailor, who lives in Italy, cited personal matters related to his preparation for the America's Cup, where he is due to skipper the 1995 Italian America's Cup Challenge.

Reacting quickly, organisers named Dutchman Roy Heiner, as a replacement for Cayard, taking up the vacated position as the sixth seed.

Heiner, in fact, currently ranks higher among the Omega/IYRU world rankings than Cayard and recently won the Nation's Cup final held in his homeland -- Peter Bromby was the Bermuda representative -- and was fifth at last month's World Championships in Perth, Australia.

He was ousted last year at the semifinal stage by eventual champion Russell Coutts.

"Paul is a good competitor and from a personality standpoint has been good for the event, but Roy is ranked higher and think that we are replacing him with a better guy,'' said Scott McLeod of Sail Sports International. "Paul apologised for having to pull out at the last minute and said that he hopes to be back next year.'' With his flamboyant style and aggressive sailing tactics, Cayard added colour and substance to last year's event. His cool wit off the water belied his stern leadership qualities during the heat of battle.

Robert Fry, Ed Baird and then world number one Chris Dickson, of New Zealand, all became victims of the Cayard juggernaut in Hamilton Harbour, but the American found himself painted as the final casualty when he was conquered 3-2 in a best-of-five series against another Coutts, another Kiwi.

This was in stark contrast to 1991 when he was sent packing by fellow countryman Kevin Mahaney in a shocking first round upset.

Known for his all-round ability, Cayard won the America's Cup Class World Championships in 1991, guided the Italy's Il Moro de Venezia to second in the 1992 America's Cup finals behind Bill Koch on board America 3 and also has numerous world championship triumphs to his credit.

He slipped to 13th among the Omega/IYRU rankings this year, but still would have entered as one of the favourites for the $30,000 first prize.

Heiner was on a waiting list of entries, which shows the popularity of the event, which has blossomed into one of the world's premier spectacles, also evidenced by the interest shown by the international media.

The Bank of Bermuda is expected to introduce two teams led by Peter Bromby and Blythe Walker as Bermuda's sponsored entries in the Omega Gold Cup.

Bromby and Walker placed first and second in the Bank of Bermuda Cup last month, which was used as a local qualifier for the Omega event.

Also expected is the announcement of the pairings for the qualifying series on Sunday.

The Santa Maria team led by American Dawn Riley and containing local sailor Paula Lewin, competing at the Columbus Cup in Annapolis, Maryland, were eliminated after the second round robin series yesterday.

Losses to PACT '95 and Chesapeake , before a win over Nippon confirmed the team's fate, leaving them to battle the latter in the petit finals today.

PAUL CAYARD -- Surprised organisers after he withdrew suddenly from the Omega Gold Cup.