Nathan Outteridge, the Artemis Racing skipper, won the Amlin International Moth Regatta “Dash for Cash” race in Hamilton Harbour yesterday and then dropped a bombshell after revealing that he is not competing in the main event which starts today.

The two-times Moth world champion and Olympic gold medallist has been ruled out through conflicting commitments with Artemis Racing, Swedish challenger of the 35th America's Cup to be held in Bermuda in 2017.

Outteridge, who placed second at last month's 49er World Championships in Buenos Aires competing with Artemis teammate Iain Jensen, pocketed $500 and a bottle of Gosling's Gold Seal Rum for winning the final practise race held on Hamilton Harbour.

The Australian sailor generously donated the prize money to the America's Cup Endeavour Community Sailing Fund which Tom Herbert-Evans, the programme's manager, graciously accepted.

“We're very appreciative of Nathan's donation,” Herbert-Evans said.

“We'll put about 1,000 kids through the programme this year and we're trying to make sure that we give the kids an opportunity to continue the curriculum after the America's Cup, so every dollar is welcome.”

The Endeavour Programme aims to provide a pathway to success for youth in Bermuda across all backgrounds as they experience an interactive curriculum labeled STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), water-safety knowledge and an opportunity to develop life skills through a community sailing programme.

The Amlin International Moth Regatta begins proper today with up to three races on tap in the Great Sound, sailing venue for the 35th America's Cup.

The regatta promises exciting racing in the one design foiling Moth dinghy which can reach speeds of more than 30 knots.

The final list of entrants includes 58 sailors from 14 countries. Among the notables are Rob Greenhalgh, the reigning European champion, Anthony Kotoun, the US champion, and a slew of America's Cup sailors including Dean Barker, Francesco Bruni, Chris Draper, Paul Goodison, Kyle Langford and Tom Slingsby.

Flying Bermuda's flag alone is James Doughty, who is competing in the Moth for the first time in front of the home crowd.

Peter Burling, the Emirates Team New Zealand skipper and ISAF Rolex World Male Sailor of the Year who is not competing in Bermuda this week, is the reigning Moth world champion.