chronic shortage of boats in the local Tornado fleet.

Rather than to see the class slip into oblivion, the duo, who were Bermuda's Tornado representatives at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, want to see it boosted by attempting to attract new people. They are also hoping to persuade those owners who have not been active in recent years to either return to the class or offer their boats so that new skippers are able to participate.

A fast response so that the fleet will be well organised in time for the start of the domestic schedule in a few weeks.

The class has seen a decline of boats since Tornado racing was introduced to Bermuda in the mid-70s. From a regular fleet of 12 boats, recent years have seen the numbers dwindle down to five or six committed sailors.

Astwood said that he feels the class is severely threatened by the shortages, claiming that he did not bother to register his boat last season because of the lack of interest shown by others.

"It costs to register a boat and it just did not make any sense doing it and having nobody turn out to race,'' he said.

"We have the boats here, but we have got to put them to use. If we don't do something positive now we just may lose the few sailors we have to other classes.'' Bardgett said that perhaps now was the time for them to aim for new sailors, especially since the old guard seems to be preoccupied.

"We need new people and new events in the class,'' said Bardgett. "The old skippers who started out in the '70s are not around and there are so many others who cannot commit themselves to the sport right now, so we have to do something.'' He added: "We have had meetings about the shortage of boats. We have been having five to six out there on a regular basis, but we would like to see as many more as possible. We all know that it is important to get the class back to where it was.'' Concern grew last year when there was relatively no competition in the class with several people involved in the trials for the Olympics and travelling overseas for gruelling competition.

After Reid and Jay Kempe managed to qualify as Bermuda's representatives for the Olympics there were few skippers coming out to run a domestic programme properly and consequently nothing much occurred, said Bardgett.

"That usually happens throughout the eastern seaboard, but we are concerned because our fleet was getting smaller and smaller all of the time anyway. Last year we hardly had anything going on,'' explained Bardgett.

In an effort to boost numbers Bardgett and Astwood have decided not to race together but to tackle the domestic schedule as skippers in their own boats.

Now they are hoping that other skippers will either become involved in the programme once again or lend their support by making their boats available for others to operate.

Among the regulars appearing last year were Malcolm McBeath, James McDonald and Nick Duffy with Alan Burland and the Kempe brothers only making appearances in the major events.

The regular schedule for Tornados has them participating in the five regional series, International Race Week and the national championships, but Bardgett and Astwood are also convinced that new events have to be implemented in order to make class a more attractive one to join.

A special meeting for Tornado sailors will be held today (5.30 p.m.) at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club to discuss the plight of the class.

By this time a year ago Bardgett and Astwood had competed in the Eastern Regional Championships in Florida but work commitments prevented the latter from going this time. Bardgett went as an observer though and was able to check out the latest equipment in use.

There could be a few rig and sail changes in Tornado racing worldwide in the future as a result of proposals that the International Tornado Association are considering -- changes recommended to generate new interest in the class.

The class has also been boosted with approval for the 1996 Olympics, after being challenged by the Hobie Cat and Prindle Cat classes.

Those interested in competing in the Toronado Class are asked to contact Astwood at 292-6100 (days) or Bardgett at 292-6898.

DEVOTED TO TORNADOES -- Eddie Bardgett, left, and Glen Astwood will not be sailing together this season so as to increase the number of participants in the class.