Sailing Championships from July 8 to 18.

Representatives from 40 countries -- 300 of the world's best young sailors -- will compete in double handed, single handed and board sailing classes.

The event has been held in Europe for the last three years, but Bermuda hosted the first unofficial championships in 1969 in the Great Sound.

Local sailors Reid and Jay Kempe finished fourth at the time and went on to represent the Island in the Tornado class at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

The first official event was held in Sweden a year later and Bermuda has been well represented during the past 25 years. Participants have included Olympians Blythe Walker and Paula Lewin, Adam Barboza, Andreas Lewin, Elizabeth Walker, Carola Cooper and Duncan Simons.

The event will be televised on both ESPN networks and Trans World Sport, reaching more than 180 countries.

Racing will take place on three separate courses in the Great Sound.