scheduled for April 30 to May 7.

A year after placing second behind American Peter Commete in the Snipe Class, Dickinson has decided to compete in the Etchells Class this time trying his luck with the bigger boats.

The switch will see the talented sailor appearing in his fourth class during Race Week. He has made previous appearances in the Comet and Sunfish Classes before eventually turning to Snipes and now Etchells.

Dickinson appeared in the Comet Class for about seven years and won the championship once. His best placing in the Sunfish Class was second a few years ago and he then duplicated that last year while making his sixth appearance in the Snipe Class.

Now he is anxious to see what fortunes await for him in the Etchells.

"I decided to make the change this year because, firstly, my boat is not here and, secondly, I think it will be a good challenge for me to try to win the Etchells during Race Week,'' said Dickinson this week.

Although he will be a newcomer in the class during Race Week, Dickinson does have some experience in Etchells having sailed in it for the first time last year.

While making his debut last summer, the St. George's resident did not perform like the rookie. He was placed second overall during the racing season, which was quite an achievement considering he was sailing in the class for the first time.

"It was good experience sailing in the Etchells Class during the regular racing sailing season. I thought I did quite well to finish as high as second,'' said Dickinson.

"I know the boat a lot better now that I have sailed it a little more. It's much bigger than the Snipe. It's not as tactical, but it's still a good boat to race in.'' While he only operated with one crew (Heath Foggo) in the Snipes Class, Dickinson will team up with Dennis Correia and Michael Tatem in the Etchells.

The class is a competitive one with Bermuda's Tim Patton, defending champion, among the favourites once again.

Correia was fourth last year, but as a member of Dickinson's crew, he will add much experience to the team.

There is a rumour that Dickinson is gearing up for the Etchells Worlds that will be held in the United States this summer but he is not prepared to confirm this at the moment.

If he participates it will not be a first major international event for Dickinson because he participated in the Sunfish Worlds back in 1977.

The Snipe Class will be wide open this year for Race Week with Dickinson leaving and defending champion Commete not able to return because he has committed himself to another regatta in the US.

Kevin Blee, the representative for the class, said that he expected to see this year's numbers down from 23 last year to 16 or 17 this time around. He contributed the decrease mostly because several local sailors had moved on to the Etchells and Lasers.

Among those definitely said to be moving on are Martin Smith (to Lasers) and Derek Ratteray (to Etchells).

STEVIE DICKINSON -- Is ready to pit his skills against the best of the Etchells skippers during Race Week. Dickinson has already competed in the Comet, Sunfish and Snipe classes and welcomes the latest challenge.