Peter Wickwire will defend his title in the International One Design Class during the Bermuda International Invitational Race Week, which starts on Saturday on the Great Sound.

The Canadian skipper won the Vrengen Gold Cup for the fourth time last year, the fifth successive year in which a team from the Chester Nova Scotia IOD fleet have won overall honours.

Carrying Bermuda’s hopes in the IOD’s alone is Patrick Cooper, the reigning Bacardi Keelboat Regatta champion.

The IOD class features 13 teams from the United States, Canada, Britain, Sweden and Bermuda that will compete in an overall twelve races which is divided in to Series A and Series B.

The IOD class races from April 28 to May 3.

The International Etchells class will kick off the regatta when they compete in their series on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the Etchells fleet is Bermuda’s Tim Patton, who is a past winner, and is making his 46th consecutive appearance in the regatta this year.

Also carrying local hopes in the Etchells is Kelsey Durham, who is also the Bermuda representative in the Argo Group Gold Cup contested in the IOD next month.

A new addition to the regatta is the PHRF Division, with races taking place on Sunday. The class includes various type boats that all compete with a time handicap.

“We are once again pleased to open our door for this event and welcome all the local and visiting sailors,” said Jonathan Corless, commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, who will host the regatta. “The club is looking forward to putting on some excellent racing for all boat classes.”