Bermudians Glenn Astwood and Blythe Walker will both set sail in the Gold Cup for the King Edward VII Trophy after qualifying via the National Match Racing Championships.

They join Alinghi's America's Cup champion helmsman Ed Baird of the US, last year's champion Ian Williams of the UK, and runner-up Mathieu Richard of France.

Both sailors have long histories in the Gold Cup with Astwood winning the competition in 1989, while Walker finished third last year in the best finish by a Bermudian since Peter Bromby's quarter-final in 2002.

Astwood captured the National Championships by defeating 38-year-old Walker 3-1 last month. The 58-year-old represented Bermuda at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics in the Tornado class and had 'retired' from racing before being prodded into action by sailor Blair Simmons.

"My friend Blair Simmons called me up and said let's put a team together for the National Championships," said Astwood. "I thought about it and decided to do it. We had no expectations, just went out, had fun and did a bit of sailing."

Former 1992 Olympian Walker returns with the same crew as last year including Adam Barboza, Carola Cooper and Somers Kempe. Astwood's crew includes Eddie Bardgett, Stephen King and Simmons.

There are also family connections within the crews. Simmons, who encouraged Astwood back onto the water, is Walker's cousin. Additionally, Walker's father, "Jordy," has played a prominent role in making the Gold Cup a preeminent event in the world of match racing.

Last year Jordy Walker, a past commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, was presented with the Wedgwood Heritage Trophy in recognition of the vital role he played in the renaissance of the Gold Cup.

Hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Gold Cup. It is slated as stage 13 of 15 of the World Match Racing Tour and runs from October 8-14. The tour champion at the end of the year will be named the ISAF Match Racing World Champion and earn $35,000 of the $100,000 prize purse.

The Gold Cup is the oldest match-racing trophy in the world for a competition involving one-design yachts. It was first presented at the Tri-Centenary Regatta at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1907 by King Edward VII in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the first permanent settlement in America.