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Incentive bor bank regatta skippers

year's Bank of Bermuda Cup with the opportunity for them to obtain world rankings points.Scott McLeod of Sail Sports, chief organisers of this year's Omega Gold Cup to be hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club,

year's Bank of Bermuda Cup with the opportunity for them to obtain world rankings points.

Scott McLeod of Sail Sports, chief organisers of this year's Omega Gold Cup to be hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, revealed that the Bank regatta -- set for October -- has been classified as a grade four event for which points will be awarded.

However, they will not count as much as those received during the championship round of the Omega competition, which is of the highest level, grade one.

In addition, those unseeded entrants taking part in the qualifying round will similarly have the opportunity to earn extra points. This section has been rated as a grade three competition.

"The two-day qualifying rounds (Bank of Bermuda Cup) and the two groups involving the 16 paid entrants (Omega Gold Cup) will receive world ranking points separate from the overall championship,'' said McLeod. "There is the possibility to get more points here than any other tournament in the world...no other event has that capability.'' The latest development emphasises the magnitude of the Bermuda event on the Omega Grand Prix circuit, which this year involves 10 events, with the Bermuda leg offering a purse of $80,000.

It also lends further credibility to the Bank event and should add to the excitement for local skippers and spectators.

"We're very confident that the Bank of Bermuda Cup and Omega Gold Cup will present some very exciting sets of racing,'' said Chris Traber, representing the bank. "We're trying to expand the level of entries and would want to include several skippers from classes other than the IODs.

"We at the Bank feel that sailing is a cornerstone of Bermuda's heritage. And we look for events that support and draw attention to the Island's heritage and tradition.'' This year sees the second running of the Bank of Bermuda Cup, developed as a seeder event, where the top two finishers have their entry into the Omega event paid by the bank.

Another similar meet, put on by the New York Sailing Association and named the Knickerbocker Cup, will also have its top gun receive sponsored entry to the Omega Gold Cup.

McLeod explained that the organisers are constantly striving for means to spice up the event, which last year was filmed by Prime Network and shown in six continents.

"Each year we're looking to improve ... but it's getting harder each time.

"This is a huge event. It's ranked by the sailors as the top event in the world and the Press coverage has been overwhelming, especially last year.''