International Race Week title in the Great Sound next week.

Bromby, who heads for the European Championships in Cadiz, Spain, with his Olympic Star Class partner Paul Fisher next month, will be looking for a Race Week win to further boost his confidence as the build-up to Barcelona gains pace.

Bromby, who has kept faith with his 1991 winning crew of Mickey Cox, Lee White, Richard Johnson and Kurt Eve, will be pushed hard by Bermuda's other hopeful, Martin Siese.

Siese, the IOD Class president, will be joined by Craig Davis, Steven King, Clyde Brookes and Robert Burkhart, as he bids to challenge Bromby's domination.

Bermuda's Bob Duffy joins the crew of the premier overseas challenger Bill Widnall of the US. Widnall, a six-time winner of the world title, snatched the `B' Series last year to finish as runner-up to Bromby in the Overall Series for the Vrengen Gold Cup.

Henry Mettier will also mount a strong challenge for the US. He too is relying on a local crew member -- in the shape of Warren Brown, Jr. -- to help him out.

Completing the trio of Americans whose crews feature Bermudian sailors is newcomer Bill Berry from Marion, Massachusetts. He is counting on the local know-how of Kevin Horsfield to boost his chances.

US representatives account for half of the 12-strong fleet, with George Bryant, Peter Rugg and female skipper Sydney Rockefeller completing the American picture.

Simon Templeman and George Cubbon will provide English skipper Jamie Clark with some local tips, which could help him spring some surprises. Clark was a member of the Royal Thames Yacht Club team who beat Bermuda's IOD fleet back in 1990.

Scotland's John MacDonald is another overseas entrant who has recruited a Bermudian to join his crew. Aaron McKittrick will be trying to help MacDonald improve on the performance of last year's Scottish hope Bill Maitland, who ended the regatta at the rear of the fleet.

Norway's Jan Petter Roed will once again be bidding to capture the trophy he donated to the event.

A past winner of the Vrengen Gold Cup, he is a familiar face among the Race Week IOD Class and is always one to watch.

Rounding out the fleet is the lone Canadian challenger Baird Tewkesbury, who will be looking to improve on last year when he finished well down the order.

The IODs contest the five-race `A' Series from tomorrow through Tuesday. They then have Wednesday off before the three-race `B' Series on Thursday and Friday.

Reigning champion David Summers will be carrying the flag for Bermuda in the race for the 4th Cruiser Squadron Trophy.

Together with crew Alan Hughes and Hal Brown, Summers will be bidding to repeat last year's impressive victory in the Luder Class.

But he will have to beat off the overseas challenge of a trio of former Race Week champions if he is to retain his crown.

1990 champion George Hughes of Canada features among the fleet alongside countrymen Allan Chandler and Brian McDonah who are both previous Race Week winners.

Racing for the Luders is tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

PETER BROMBY.