Top local Snipe sailor Stevie Dickinson will be a mere spectator during the annual International Race Week which gets underway this Sunday in the Great Sound.

That's because the Snipe class has been scrapped from this year's regatta largely due to a poor entry from overseas sailors.

The Bermudian finished runner-up to American Eric Reinke in Snipe racing last year.

“I won't be sailing at all,” said Dickinson yesterday. “Actually I was going to sail Comets this year but they won't be competing either. So I will be chilling.”

Preparing for this year's International Race Week, Dickinson turned in a stellar performance at the Snipes South American Championships in Uruguay where he placed fifth overall in a fleet of 25 international boats.

“It's a bit of a disappointment, but I think that the war (in Iraq) really had something to do with it,” added Dickinson.

“That's why I think a lot of these sailors (US) did not come down this year. And it's a pity because the Snipes are sort of dying in Bermuda.

“But this year I had already decided to sail with the Comets. Now it looks as though I will be chilling during International Race Week.”

The veteran sailor will, however, still see action this Sunday in the Mid Winter Comet Series off Dockyard. Dickinson and perennial rival Rudy Bailey are firm favourites to capture that series.