this year's Bank of Bermuda and Omega Gold Cups ... because he is too heavy.

Reigning Bank of Bermuda Cup champion Peter Bromby and his crew have had to embark on "crash-diets'' in a frantic attempt to reduce their overall crew weight in order to conform with restrictions imposed by race organisers.

It is estimated that the team of Lee White, Penny Simmons, Dennis Correia and Bromby need to lose a combined 60 pounds before September 19, when the bank event is scheduled to take place.

However, with Correia already in the "lightweight'' category the onus has been placed on the remaining trio to shed the pounds.

"We kind of found out on short notice that the weight had been reduced and I have doubts about whether we can get there,'' said Simmons yesterday. "Having to shed 60 pounds by the 19th looks impossible. I would need to go down about 10, Peter around 30 and the other guy about 10 to 15 pounds.

"If we can get the weight off we're in ... if not we're out.'' While last year the allowance averaged 2031 pounds per person, with a maximum overall weight of 814 pounds, this year has those amounts set at a 1893 average per individual or 759 pounds overall.

"The limit was implemented to stay in line with the rest of the world,'' said Ben Caesar of Sail Sports International, organisers of the Omega Gold Cup.

"It's a standardisation sort of thing that is the same for all IYRU (International Yacht Racing Union) events.

"Last year we were higher than everyone else in the world.'' Simmons, however, disagreed with the change, saying that it was unnecessary for the type of boat being used -- International One Design -- and added that Bromby had placed an appeal with race officials.

"It's really crazy to put this boat -- IOD -- in line with the other boats that they use,'' said Simmons, Bromby's tactician during last year's regatta where they were eliminated in the semifinals by eventual winner Russell Coutts of New Zealand.

"They're saying that (this move is to bring the race in line with others) but the problem is that this is a heavy displacement boat, while all the others that they use around the world are of light displacement.

"It's a crazy rule and one that is not going to help the sport one bit.'' Examples of the lighter boats used elsewhere are the Fox MRX in New Zealand, Catalina 40s in California and J24s during the Nations Cup.

Another option for the Bromby-led side might be to substitute a crew member -- probably either Simmons or White -- for one carrying a lighter load.

However, they appear unwilling to take this course of action and separate what has been the Island's most successful sailing quartet in recent years.

"I'm not sure Peter wants to do that,'' continued Simmons. "He thinks, and I agree, that weight is not a factor in this boat.'' Meanwhile, Bank of Bermuda Cup event chairman and host commodore, John Thompson of Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, agreed that the addition or loss of weight probably would not have much effect on the performance of the IOD.

Nevertheless, he emphasised that the rules were in accordance with those determined by the IYRU and added that they (organisers) "can't alter the rules to suit any one individual''.

"If Peter can't be down to the weight for the Bank of Bermuda Cup it is unlikely they will make the Omega Gold Cup, which would be very unfortunate.'' One change has been made to this year's list of entries in the Omega Gold Cup, with Sweden's Magnus Holmberg being recently announced as a replacement for American Steve Grillon.

PENNY SIMMONS -- Having to shed 60 pounds "looks impossible.''