While Peter Bromby was among those confirmed to take part in Sunday's qualifying (10 a.m.) for next month's prestigious Brut Gold Cup, he will not be taking part in the $100,000 main event even if successful during qualifying.

Bromby was unavailable for comment yesterday, but long-time partner Lee White confirmed Bromby's entry into the nationals as a move made in order to secure valuable rankings points to preserve his lofty position among the world's elite -- currently he is 25th on the Omega World Rankings list.

"We're not doing the Gold Cup,'' confirmed White, who along with Bromby placed 10th at the recent World Star Championships in Spain. "We can't put together the same team because of the weight factor and will be using it more to earn points on the national level so that we can remain in a good position.'' Furthermore, White will not be a member of Bromby's team for the nationals because the event's weight limit would mean he would have to lose several pounds.

Dennis Correia and Mick Finnegan and another crew to be named are expected to accompany Bromby on Sunday.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club will again act as hosts for both the nationals and Gold Cup, but this year has a change being made with the utilisation of smaller J-24 craft for the nationals, while the Gold Cup will again feature the elegant International One Design.

Hamilton Harbour will be the venue for Sunday as seven skippers vie for the top two positions, one that guarantees pre-paid entry into the Gold Cup against the world's best match racers, including Dutchman Roy Heiner, who has already won two events in the Brut series and could take home $250,000 with a win in Bermuda, champion America's Cup helmsman Russell Coutts of New Zealand and Ed Baird of the US.

Missing from the line-up will be Aussie Rod Davis, the 1994 winner.

With Bromby out of the running Blythe Walker would appear as a slight favourite.

Walker recently completed a credible third place finish as the Nations Cup area qualifier in Canada while sailing in J-24's and has long been one of the Island's best IOD racers.

Further enhancing the entry list are Kate Williams and Michael Emery, both regular J-24 competitors. Williams was the overall class winner in 1994 and Emery the nationals' champion.

Other entries include Pan American Games bronze medalist Paula Lewin, Adam Barboza and Paul Fisher.