ONE man?s pleasure, another man?s poison . . .

That might be the case with offshore sailing which certainly isn?t everybody?s cup of tea.

Being tossed around the ocean for days on end or becalmed under a blazing sun going nowhere fast . . . well, some of us can think of better ways to spend our time.

Yet ask any of those among this week?s record-breaking entry for the centennial Newport to Bermuda Race and they?ll likely tell you there?s nowhere else they?d rather be.

Considered one of the world?s premier ocean races, it?s attracted sailors from all around the globe, a fleet of some 260 including boats so diverse in size and technological advancement that the gap between those completing the 635-mile haul first and those at the back of the pack will be more than four days.

But the majority aren?t chasing silverware.

Much like those who run in marathons, the challenge isn?t to win but merely to finish, the thrill of competing far outweighing any expectation of victory.

This year?s centenary, of course, is so much more special, reflected in the numbers taking part. All told, with family and friends, an amazing 3,000 or more visitors will invade these shores over the next week.

To the non-sailor, the race might not be of any great interest, but it?s difficult to argue over its value to the Island?s economy. Its significance in those terms is enormous.

Come next Wednesday every berth in every harbour from east to west will be taken, there won?t be a hotel bed to be found and Front Street will be as crowded as downtown Tokyo.

It?s difficult to recall any other sporting occasion which has made such an impact in recent years.

OF course, when we aren?t looking at boats next week, most of us will likely be looking at the TV.

One week down, three still to go, the World Cup is proving every bit as entertaining as we expected.

Unlike those who have no interest in sailing, those who normally wouldn?t know Rooney from Ronaldo suddenly seem to have been gripped by football fever.

Everybody has a team, everybody an opinion and with World Cup pools spawned in just about every office in town there?s also some small financial considerations.

Thanks to Bermuda Broadcasting, we?re getting to see every single match ?live? ? which isn?t the case even in some of those countries competing ? and while there have been the inevitable moans and groans this week over interrupted satellite signals, it has to be said reception has improved significantly in the last couple of days.

BBC commentary being preferred over the gibberish served up by the ESPN team is also a huge bonus.

Keep up the good work guys.