champion Peter Bromby claims that he and his crew are fully prepared for the intense battle that will take place when the IOD World Championship gets under way in Marblehead, Massachusetts, on Sunday.

Widnall, winner of the prestigious event an unprecedented nine times, is only one of 11 elite sailors gunning for Bromby's title. Among the others is Bermuda's Penny Simmons, who won it in 1985.

"I think we are capable of retaining the title,'' said Bromby who saw team morale boosted among the crew after they won five straight races in the national championships held last weekend.

One thing in Bromby's favour is that he has managed to retain the same crew who helped guide him to the championship in San Francisco Bay a year ago -- all who have worked closely with him for a few years now -- Mickey Cox, Mick Finnegan, Lee White and Malcolm Wilson.

Cox and Finnegan have been sailing with him since the early '80s, Wilson was formerly with Penny Simmons while White has linked up with him within the past three years.

"We've got along quite well, we have fun sailing together and everybody looks forward to fierce competition. We have just so much in common,'' said Bromby.

But even with the so-called "greatest crew'', Bromby knows that they will have their hands full trying to turn back spirited challenges by so many experienced sailors. And he knows that Widnall in particular will be anxious to win his 10th title.

Marblehead is Widnall's home base and his obvious familiarity with the sailing conditions there will be of a great advantage to him. Bromby, though, goes into the expected seven-race series fully aware that they cannot afford the simplest slip against Widnall's experience or any of the other field for that matter. "Widnall will no doubt be putting everything into this event in order to win it for the 10th time. But what is going to make his challenge tougher is that he's very good sailing in lighter air when I prefer heavier air,'' said Bromby.

Bromby has had experience sailing in both San Francisco Bay and Marblehead, but he is more familiar with the latter. He says he prefers the conditions at San Francisco Bay because of the stronger winds that prevail, but he stressed that he did not necessarily favour the greater tide that exists there.

"We had some good local knowledge of the conditions at San Francisco Bay a year ago. There was a guy there who is considered the champion of the bay.

After a few long meetings with him about various conditions and other tips we felt pretty much at home going into the race,'' he said.

"I prefer the conditions in San Francisco Bay than Marblehead because they are a lot windier, it blew from anywhere between 20 to 25 knots,'' he said.

"In Marblehead there is less wind and there is more of a rolling sea compared to the chop in San Francisco. There is quite a contrast.'' In addition to having sailed IODs at Marblehead, Bromby has also sailed Etchells there -- so he has had a variety of experience competing in that area. One of his biggest accomplishments though came in 1985 when he finished third in the North American IOD Championships.

"I am quite familiar with Marblehead, but I haven't been there in about three years. We have a guy there lined up to familiarise us with the various conditions but proof will be in the pudding about how much use he will be to us,'' he said with a laugh.

Even before winning the championship last year Bromby's sailing talents have been well noted by the other competitors, many of whom felt that his triumph in the world championship was long overdue.

Bromby has always been a fierce challenger in the event, his best effort coming in 1987 when he tied Widnall before eventually placing second after a tie-breaker. He was seventh in 1988 and fourth in 1989.

In addition to his fine run in the Worlds, Bromby has won the International Race Week here for the last five years and by doing so has beaten off challenges by many of the sailors who he will go up against on the weekend.

But he is not taking anything for granted.

Bromby will have one other thing lingering on his mind as he takes on the formidable field of sailors in Marblehead. After defending the title he will return home and prepare for his wedding, which is scheduled for October 11.

Meanwhile, Bermuda's official representative at Marblehead (Bromby automatically qualifies) and one of the expected strong challengers, former champion Penny Simmons, will also be leaving tomorrow for the Worlds.

Simmons, who also admits that he prefers the stronger winds at San Francisco Bay, has made two changes to his crew of a year ago because Richard Belvin and Larry Lindo are unavailable. Their replacements are his son Scott Simmons and Jay Hooper while the returning crew members are his wife Sasha Simmons and Ray Pitman.

The sailors will be using boats provided by host Corinthian Yacht Club and the rules call for the exchange of boats for each of the races.

PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS -- Peter Bromby and his IOD crew defend the world championship starting this weekend.