The Argo Group Gold Cup should be a very special one for Somers Kempe.

This year marks the first time that the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club commodore will be at the helm of a classic International One Design sloop during the Alpari World Match Racing Tour event.

And he is determined to make the most of the experience competing against the world’s elite sailors.

“My main goal is to get out of the round-robin series,” Kempe said.

Blythe Walker was the last local skipper to advance from the group stage. Walker finished third at the 2006 Gold Cup after defeating Switzerland’s Eric Monnin in the Petite final. Kempe has been pitted in group one which includes past Gold Cup winners Ian Williams, Johnie Berntsson and Francesco Bruni, the defending champion.

“Both groups are really tough so there’s no easy matches and everyone is probably looking at us as an easy match and hopefully we will prove them wrong,” Kempe said.

“We are definitely the underdog and the unknown and I don’t mind being that at all. Hopefully we can throw some of that ‘unknown’ at the more experienced teams and see what happens.”

Kempe, who has experienced several Newport Bermuda Race crossings, feels privileged to test his skills at this level.

“Although I have been on Gold Cup boats as a crew it will be nice to see my name on the mainsail,” he said.

Kempe believes that sailing in familiar conditions will count for little coming up against a formidable field that also includes world champion and former Gold Cup winner Taylor Canfield.

“But most of the sailors have been coming here for some time and I think the majority know the boat, know the conditions and know what Hamilton Harbour can do to you,” Kempe said.

Kempe will compete in the Gold Cup with Raymarine/Ocean Electronics team-mates Adam Barboza, Peter Miller and Paul Wring.

“Adam and Paul have been doing the Gold Cup together since the late 1980s and I have sailed with them in other fleets and been very successful,” Kempe said.

“I’ve also sailed with Peter just as much so it’s a good mix of youth and experience and we should have a good time.

“Everyone knows what they are doing in the boat so it’s a pretty smooth crew.

“It’s basically on my shoulders to put the boat in the right situations and make sure we are getting the boat up to speed. It should be relatively smooth. It’s just all about keeping calm and my wife always says I’m the calmest person around. I have no emotion.”

Kempe earned the right to compete in the Gold Cup after being crowned this year’s national IOD champion.