Championship.

Similarly, both are well aware that these will likely remain just that...at least for now.

Armed with four member crews, the pair set off this week -- today and tomorrow -- for the renowned sailing town of Newport, nestled on the coast of Rhode Island, where they will embark on a nine-race odyssey for all the marbles along with more than 70 other boats.

"I think it'll be a bit of a long shot in terms of winning the event, I don't think that's going to happen, obviously, with professional teams there and everything,'' said Corless, who will have on board the likes of Matthew Cowan, Emma Atherton, Walter Smith and American Bill Shinn. "But we would like to try and obtain a mid-fleet position and improve on the result that we got two years ago.

"We're very excited to have qualified and be able to get there in the first instance.

"It's good for Bermudians to be able to go abroad and compete and have a presence on the international scene.'' Corless, the reigning national champion, rates the more experienced of the two skippers based partly on his having participated in the same event back in 1998 when San Francisco hosted.

However, Tasker also warrants a close eye, her consistently high placings during the regular race days backed by a National Championship in 1999 displaying her worth.

"If we could win the World Championships it'd be nice. I don't think we will, but we'll try our best,'' said Tasker bubbling in anticipation. "The goal is more to improve our standard of sailing, to compete with the world's best... "It's a very exciting prospect for all of us. We know it's going to be very competitive, with the standard of sailing very high.

"It's going to be tough sailing out there against the world's best and no doubt it will raise our standards and we'll come home different sailors.'' Accompanying Tasker will be Pete Ramsdale, Ann Symons, Jeannette Fieldman, Don Wagoner, an American with some knowledge of the waters in Narragansett Bay, which can be perilous for the unseasoned.

"We'll have some local knowledge on board,''added Tasker. "Although he doesn't stay in Newport he has sailed a lot there and hopefully he'll be our secret weapon.'' Covert operations aside, challenges will arise in the forms of currents, tides, strong prevailing winds, not to mention a ravishing armada jostling for prime starting line position.

It is here where the prior experience of Corless could reap dividends, but for Tasker the challenge is a totally new one.

And that may be the very reason why the female skipper and her team have been spending countless hours practising start manoeuvres, as well as the all important mark roundings.

"I think the starts will be very important,'' said Tasker. "The starts are very different from the kind of start we have in Bermuda because there'll be 78 boats on the start line, where here in Bermuda we have, like, 10.

"It will be a bit unnerving for me, but John's done it before.'' Chimed Corless: "There's a challenge in coming off the start line cleanly, because 77 other boats will be trying for the same deal.

"Also you're in a fleet of champions from all nations, so there's a high level of sailing going on.'' Each skipper announced the crew to be upbeat and excited and with some nerves, however those should disappear with the echo of the starting gun.

An added feature for Tasker she said would be them being able to mingle with many of sailing's elite and possibly get a few tips.

Past winners of the Championship include Ken Reid, helmsman for Team Dennis Conner at the 2000 America's Cup, Gold Cup match racing star Ed Baird, John Kostecki, tactician for America One and Francesco deAngelis of Prada, the losing finalist during the aforementioned America's Cup.

"They're (crew) all very excited to be going as representatives of Bermuda.

It will be an honour to represent a country and fly the Bermuda flag in Newport.

"We're looking forward to meeting and socialising with some of the best sailors in the world...it's going to be a real learning experience.'' The competition starts next Monday and continues through Friday, with nine races slated to be sailed.