Eight of the Island's best sailors will clash this weekend for one of two chances to represent Bermuda.

But if defending champion Peter Bromby holds true to form, his sponsorship conflicts may create a third opening.

The third annual Black Seal Cup for the Bermuda National Championship of Match Race Sailing takes place in Hamilton Harbour this Saturday and Sunday.

The tournament serves a two-fold purpose in determining a Bermudian national champion and also providing two entries for the Bermuda Gold Cup in October, a spokeswoman for the Bermuda Royal Yacht Club explained.

And race sponsor Gosling Brothers Limited has agreed to pay the entry fees for the winner and runner-up to enter the Gold Cup.

But last year the third runner-up was offered the pre-paid admission after Bromby declined the offer on the grounds that it conflicted with his own sponsor.

This weekend Bromby will go up against the teams of Glenn Astwood, Odwin "Mickey'' Berkeley, Jon Corless, Stephen Dickinson, Paula Lewin, Christian Luthi, and Shelagh Tasker in identical J-24 sailboats.

But Bromby -- who said he has lost only one of the annual match tournaments -- said he expected fierce competition from Lewin.

"We haven't match-raced since the Gold Cup last year,'' admitted Bromby.

"I'm primarily a fleet racer.'' Teams will face each other in a round robin series until four semi-finalists are determined. The skipper with the highest score will then select an opponent to challenge in the best of five race semi-finals.

Finally, two semi-finalists will race each other for the title and a chance to win international honours against 24 of the top match racing teams in the world in the Bermuda Gold Cup.

"We are happy to see the wider representation each year from Bermuda's sailing club's and classes, and we are confident that one year we will see the winner of the Black Seal Cup hoisting the Gold Cup over his, or her, head,'' said vice president and director of Gosling's Bros. Ltd. Charles R. Gosling.

"Over the last few years the Black Seal Cup has developed into an intense, exciting competition. We invite all Bermudians to come to Albuoy's Point this weekend and to cheer their countrymen and women as they battle for this prestigious title.''