North Carolina this week to compete in two major events.

A total of 27 gymnasts from the Bermuda Gymnastics Association, accompanied by coach Walid Mustafa and officials Eddie Murphy and Andrew White, will depart on Wednesday and Thursday.

The more senior girls in the party, in which ages range from six up to 15, will compete on Thursday evening in a qualifier for the regional championships organised by the United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs (USAIGC).

Eleven of the Bermuda girls will be aiming to qualify for the North Carolina Regional Championships to be held in May which itself will be a qualifier for the US Nationals in June.

Then on Friday and Saturday, the entire Bermuda squad will take part in the Gymnastics Carolina Classic at Carmichael Gymnasium at the North Carolina State University.

Considered one of the biggest gymnastics meets in the US, the event is expected to attract some 800 youngsters from 40 clubs including America's current world champion Dominique Dawes.

The Bermuda team, pictured right, includes from left to right: Back row -- Kirsten Mitchell, Nicola White, Nakia Manders, Nicola Arden, Megan Aguiar, Maria Darby, Sasha Christensen, Christine White, Lela Wadson, Laura Murphy, Katy Wright.

Centre row -- Abigail Kempe, Sarah Cox, Christine Mayor, Nicole Mitchell, Maya Furbert, Kirby Phillip, Laura Robinson, Sionna Barton.

Front row -- Jackie Mayor, Rowan Hallett, Chloe Kempe, Chelsea Burns, Alex Francioni, Natasha Kent, Kelly Terceira, Nicole Shaw.

CAROLINA BOUND -- Bermuda's 27-strong gymnastics team will take part in two major events in North Carolina this week.