International sailing returns to Bermuda's shores today as the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club hosts a fleet of top sailors in the Global Team Championships and International 14 World Championships.

Sailors from Germany, Belgium, USA, Japan and Canada are here for the event, including the current world champion, Kristofer Bundy, from the US.

Bermuda's sole representative is John Hele, who will skipper the Japanese team entry.

Regatta chairman Jordy Walker was optimistic yesterday that this year's event would produce some exciting action and urged the public to come out and witness the qualifying races which get underway in Hamilton Harbour today and the World Championships to be staged in the Great Sound on Friday.

"It's very nice to have the International 14 class active again here in Bermuda," said Walker. "In the past we have invited them down for several international races and we've had sporadic attendance from Canada, the United States and Europe. Now that we have attracted them to our shores, where we have excellent sailing conditions, we're delighted to have received such a tremendous turnout.

"Fifty-five boats is a very creditable accomplishment for a class of this calibre that consists of the world's top sailors in the dinghy class, many of whom have sailed in Olympic and world championships in other classes. We believe that this is going to be a spectacular event.

"Being the Grand Prix sports cars of the sailing world, the Formula Ones, these boats travel at extremely high speeds, their crashes are fantastic, their capsizes are spectacular and they will not disappoint any spectators willing to brave the elements and come out to the Great Sound to watch."

"We also believe that the team racing in Hamilton Harbour will be equally spectacular and maybe spiced with the odd collision, which we hope won't damage the boats, but add to the excitement," added Walker.

Team racing begins today at 9.30 a.m. in Hamilton Harbour and continues tomorrow, with the World Championship regatta on Friday. A spectator boat will be leaving the RBYC at 11.00 each morning for all races.