Bermuda Sailing Association (BSA) president Somers Cooper believes this year's inaugural Bermuda Festival of Sail, presented by King Edward VII Gold Cup title sponsors Argo Group, will greatly enhance the growing popularity of sailing at the grassroots levels on the Island.

The new event will take place during this year's Gold Gold – the penultimate stage of the annual World Match Racing Tour – to be held from October 6-12 in the colourful backdrop of Hamilton Harbour.

"One of our mandates is to introduce, promote and help provide access to the sport, eliminating or reducing the barriers that exist in a typically expensive sport.

"And the Festival of Sail will positively enhance the exposure of sailing in Bermuda," Cooper said.

"We already have a number of programmes for youths including the National Sailing Programme during the summer and the Waterwise programme, which is incorporated into the school curriculum for many Government Middle School Year One students during their Spring term."

Over the years Bermuda has been well represented at the youth level on the world stage, and this year has proven no exception as young local sailors have competed on two continents and more recently made their presence felt at the Canadian Optimist Nationals in Novia Scotia.

"Bermudians have excelled on the world stage for years as sailors. We have a fantastic reputation around the world," Cooper added.

Ralph Richardson, Commodore for Gold Cup hosts Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC), hopes the Festival of Sail will increase numbers at next month's sailing spectacle in the harbour.

"The goal of the Bermuda Festival of Sail is to introduce the joy of sailing to the youth of Bermuda and to their parents as well," Richardson explained.

"It is a significant community enhancement to the Gold Cup event that is designed to encourage families to participate in the two-day event which will include free sailing, fun castles, face painting, pirates, a boat show, fun food and much more."

The Gold Cup is the oldest match racing competition in the world for one-design yachts.

King Edward VII originally presented the coveted trophy to the winning team at the Tri-Centenary Regatta in Jamestown, Virginia in 1907 in commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of the first settlement in America.

Frenchman Mathieu Richard, who is back to defend his title this year, defeated Sweden's Bjorn Hansen 2-0 in last year's Gold Cup final.