Rob Greenhalgh will rest his title on the line when the MS Amlin International Moth Regatta is held in the Great Sound at the weekend.

The British sailor came from behind on the final day of racing to win a closely fought battle with compatriot Chris Rashley at last year’s inaugural event and will again have his work cut out competing among a fleet boasting Olympic gold medal-winners and world champions.

“It’s our second time racing in Bermuda and we all have a bit more knowledge of the venue and how the wind works,” Greenhalgh said. “It should be easier, but the good guys are all going fast so we’ll just go out there and give it our best.”

Also among a fleet of 52 sailors are Olympic gold medal-winners and Artemis Racing trio Paul Goodison, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen.

Goodison comes into the regatta with momentum having captured a maiden Moth World title in Japan in May while Outteridge is a two-times Moth World champion.

Regatta debutant Scott Babbage, of SoftBank Team Japan, could also be in the hunt for honours along with Royal Bermuda Yacht Club sailing coach Ben Paton, who was seventh at last year’s inaugural regatta.

This year’s fleet also includes women’s sailors Annalise Murphy and Josie Gliddon. Murphy, of Ireland, won silver in the Laser Radial class at this summer’s Rio Olympics.

Carrying local hopes are Nathan Bailey, James Doughty, Richard Graham-Enoch, Josh Greenslade, Christian Luthi and Brett Wright.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club are again the hosts of the regatta, which runs from Sunday until December 9.

A prize purse of $10,000 is up for grabs, with $5,000 earmarked for the winner.

The MS Amlin Dash for Cash is scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 11am.

The event will feature groups of Moth sailors racing in Hamilton Harbour in a shoot-out format.

The winner of each group will advance to a final grouping, and the overall winner receiving $500 and a bottle of Goslings Rum. Outteridge, the Artemis helmsman, is the defending champion.

“This regatta was a great success last year and we’re pleased to welcome MS Amlin back as title sponsor,” Andy Cox, the regatta chairman, said.

“We have a very competitive fleet this year and the racing should be very exciting. Besides the top guys, there are other good sailors in the fleet who could give them a run for their money.”