For many just being a part of the Omega Gold Cup is satisfying enough, not so with aspiring yachtsman Adam Barboza...he wants to win it all.

And from the precocious age of three, when he was first introduced to the sailing world by his father Nevis, the young Barboza has been gearing for just such an opportunity, one that has presented itself this year in the form of the $100,000 Omega event featuring many of the world's best match-racers.

Several eyebrows were raised as the now 26-year-old Barboza, better known for his exploits among the Laser fleet, surged through qualifying at the Bank of Bermuda Cup to eventually finish second to Peter Bromby after a thrilling five race series which the former lost 3-2.

This after leading for most of the fifth and deciding race before being overtaken during the penultimate leg and losing by the narrowest of margins.

Now the focus is squarely on producing similar results during the main event and getting through qualifying in group two starting tomorrow, where he has the likes of New Zealand's Chris Dickson, American Bill Buckles and fellow local qualifier Blythe Walker standing among the seven looking for his ouster.

"My crew and I have our work down, I think we can get through the qualifying,'' said Barboza sounding confident. "The ultimate goal is to line up against someone in the final, but a more realistic goal is to at least get to the quarter-finals.

"I crewed in it before, so I have some experience, but to be actually steering is a first and I feel I'm in a very highly competitive group with someone like Chris Dickson.'' Indeed, Barboza will be among esteemed company and ironically it is Dickson, who stands as somewhat of an idol to the Bermudian, and like Bromby, Barboza was pointing to the Kiwi as a definite front-runner in the chase for this year's title.

"Dennis Connor is one of the big stars and probably my sailing idol, but talent-wise Chris Dickson is high on the list,'' said Barboza, preparing for another practice session yesterday with his crew of Paul Wring, Peter Shrubb and Bob McCutchen.

"He's (Dickson) been sand-bagging in saying that he's rusty and that the killer instinct's gone, but anyone knows that when you get to that level you don't just all of a sudden lose it.'' Barboza will get the chance to find out first hand if the former three-time world champion has lost anything from the glory years on Monday when the pair are scheduled to clash in Hamilton Harbour.

However, even if successful, don't look for Barboza to take the head-long dive into racing among the bigger International One Design (IOD) craft.

No, the trainee customs officer instead sees next year's Pan Am Games and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, where he will compete among the Laser fleet, as his main focal points.

But just what is the key to being a successful sailor, especially under the match-racing format? According to Barboza it is "the ability to take a look at the big picture''.

"In sailing you have to take a look at a lot of things in a short time and be able to comprehend them and use it to your own advantage.'' Hopefully for Barboza the picture being painted this week is a clear one and the local is able to prove he does indeed belong.

ADAM BARBOZA