A contingent of 20 New York firefighters, and their guests, are heading to the other side of the world - and Bermuda insurance giant ACE is picking up the tab.

Why? The firefighters will be competing in the biennial World Firefighters Games, from October 25 to November 2, which is being held this year in Christchurch, New Zealand and covers 72 different sporting events from track and field to darts.

The event has special significance this year and most especially for the New York contingent as the games - now in its seventh session - are dedicated to the memory of all the firefighters who have lost their lives in the course of duty, particularly to the hundreds of New York firefighters who gave their lives in rescue efforts at the World Trade Center last September.

Vinnie Plover, a firefighter with NYFD Ladder 58 on Staten Island, said he had been keen to attend the games in years past but never did. This time around he said he said he felt compelled to go. He said he had lost friends in the WTC disaster and he would be going in their honour.

Mr. Plover said he had never been further west than Hawaii but was looking forward to the trip to New Zealand, where he will be kept busy competing in golf, triathalon, track and field events.

Although having suffered from a knee injury in recent years, Mr. Plover said he would undertake intense training over the next six weeks.

In years past, Mr. Plover said the firefighters would do in-house fundraise in order to go to the games, but he added that he and the other firefighters had been overwhelmed by ACE's generosity.

While in New Zealand the firefighters will also be guests of Team Dennis Conner/Stars & Stripes, the New York Yacht Club's entry for the 2003 America's Cup, during round two of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series. ACE is a Gold-Level sponsor of Team Dennis Conner.

This weekend there was a send-off ceremony in Rhode Island, with several crew members heading for New Zealand for the first round of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series, which begins on October 1.

On that score, Mr. Plover was full of patriotic fervour: "We're also looking forward to cheering on Dennis and his crew in Auckland as they work to bring the America's Cup back to New York where it belongs." ACE CEO Brian Duperreault said: "The America's Cup, Stars & Stripes and the New York City firefighters are all particularly timely and patriotic symbols. In tribute to the remarkable work that these real life heroes do day-in and day-out - and to bring Dennis and the rest of the crew a little luck in October - we are privileged to help ensure that the City of New York is represented in New Zealand by its best and bravest. We are looking forward to victories all the way around."

The America's Cup is a best-of-nine match. The right to challenge the current trophy holder, Team New Zealand, is determined through a four-month elimination process known as the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series.