Bermuda's Soling trio for the World Sailing Championship qualifying round will this weekend go through some rigorous practice routines against three young American sailors brought in specifically to boost the local campaign.

Nick Jones, Adam Barboza and Craig Davies hope to be razor sharp and ready for the challenge that lies ahead in Melbourne, Australia on January 5 when they will battle a huge fleet of 95 boats in the fight for the initial five places for the Olympics in Sydney in the year 2000.

With outstanding young sailor Andrew Horton heading the visiting American team in Hamilton Harbour today and tomorrow, racing is scheduled to begin at approximately 10.00 a.m.

"We are looking forward to the weekend. These three young sailors should offer us stiff competition and give us the sort of challenge that is necessary as we enter a major competition such as the one in Melbourne,'' said Jones yesterday.

Horton is the number one collegiate ranked sailor in the US and is now ranked third or fourth overall in America.

Originally Bermuda were not to be represented in the Soling qualifier for the Olympics because previously it was thought that it would involve fleet racing only.

However, when the locals discovered that match racing was also involved the decision was made to enter.

"Yes, we thought it was fleet racing only and we didn't think we were inside the top ten in the world at this present time, maybe the top 16, but since they decided to make it a match racing event for the final 16 finishers we think we have a reasonably good chance,'' added Jones.

"With Adam's participation and experience in the Gold Cup we are better off going into match racing. Of course, he has been ranked reasonably high in the top 40s in the world in match racing, and in Melbourne we are going to be going against people like Andy Beadsworth and Roy Heiner who come here for the Gold Cup and who we are familiar with.''.

Racing rules in Melbourne are similar to the Gold Cup. They involve the top 16 countries from earlier fleet racing and then enter match race competition to determine which five countries qualify.

Other locals travelling Down Under with hopes of qualifying in their respective sailing divisions are Charlene Adderley and Brett Wright. Peter Bromby's Star class will hold their qualifying series elsewhere.

"The challenge is not that huge in Melbourne, if we can get into that 16 our chances of advancing will be good. But it's vital that we get into the 16,'' said Jones.

"Our crew is great, we all complement each other. Adam steers the boat, I fly the spinnaker and Craig is in charge of the jibe and is basically our mechanic.''