Peter Bromby is picking another Kiwi, Chris Dickson, to be a major force during the $100,000 Omega Gold Cup, set to commence on Sunday.

Bromby was wary of Dickson's entrance as an unseeded skipper, indicating that there would be many competiting here next week who would want to avoid being drawn against the three-time world match racing champion.

"I haven't had a real close look at the fleet and obviously Coutts will be a real miss, but in Dickson you have somebody to fill his shoes with no problem,'' said Bromby, also not seeded and bracing for his own challenge for the prestigious title, one of the few competitions involving International One Designs (IOD) that he hasn't won.

"Dickson wasn't here last year, but he was here the year before when he was the semi-finalist and knocked out by Paul Cayard (1992).

"He then entered the Whitbread Round-the-World Race and hasn't touched match racing and for an unseeded racer he is going to be a hot competitor. He has never been unseeded before, he has always been a top seed.'' Dickson fell to 28th in the rankings during his time away and created a bit of controversy among New Zealanders when he skippered a Japanese-sponsored yacht Tokio during the prestigious long distance affair, winning three legs while placing second twice competing in the Whitbread 60 class.

A three-time world match racing champion and winner of the Gold Cup in 1987 and 1989, Dickson is still regarded as New Zealand's most accomplished sailor, even more so than Coutts.

His tactical genius and daring style have proved the nemesis of many an opponent and with the Kiwi gearing for an America's Cup challenge where he will skipper his own Win New Zealand syndicate, the Omega event could present itself as an ideal tune-up.

For Bromby, however, carrying Bermuda's banner along with Adam Barboza and Blythe Walker, the moment is now.

The Somerset resident has already shown that he can compete against the best, with the only issue left being whether he can win against them.

Bromby reached the quarter-finals in 1992 before losing to Coutts 3-2 as a controversial penalty handed the Bermudian during the penultimate leg of the fifth raced proved fatal to his chances at a time when he appeared to be unstoppable.

Coutts went on to defeat American Paul Cayard in the final for his second Gold Cup triumph before claiming yet another last year.

"My best year was 1992 when we made the quarter-finals,'' explained Bromby.

"I had my same crew I have now, Penny Simmons, Lee White and Dennis Correia.

"We are just looking forward to having a good regatta, hope to progress steadily and hopefully go on to be sailing next Sunday.'' Following Omega it will be rest and relaxation for Bromby, who has spent most of his time sailing international events.

NOTABLE ABSENTEE -- Russell Coutts, far right, will not defend his title.