Championships, Bermuda is again gearing up for an assault on the Island's waters by the world's leading yachtsmen, with the $80,000 Omega Gold Cup starting on Sunday.

Defending champion and world number one Russell Coutts of New Zealand, as well as last year's runner-up Paul Cayard are both due to make appearances in what is one of the premier events on the sailing calendar.

Kiwi Coutts will line up as the favourite to repeat his performance of a year ago and comes off recent success at the World Championships in Perth, Australia, where he defeated Ed Baird of the United States in the final.

Baird, currently ranked seventh in the world and listed as a seeded skipper, again might provide a challenge for Coutts and appears well prepared to do so.

He is also anxious to dispel memories of last year when he departed at the quarter-final stage after a loss to Cayard.

"In terms of preparation the (Omega) Gold Cup falls at a fortunate time for me, as I have been involved in two recent regattas that have tuned up my match racing,'' said Baird, who won last month's Knickerbocker Cup in New York.

"I feel good about my chances, but this is always a difficult event because of the number of competitors and the (wind) shifts in the harbour.

"I'm certainly looking forward to it.'' Baird, who arrives here on Sunday, has added two new faces to his crew from last year, having Scott Ferguson and Tony Rae linking up longtime ally Joe Fordney.

While skill is important Baird said that good fortune also helps and added that he lost out due to a lack of the latter last year, getting caught in what he described as a "vacuum'' in Hamilton Harbour during his series against Cayard.

"It's great to be smart and intelligent, but you certainly need a little luck,'' said Baird, also a former Laser and J24 world champion and winner of the 1991 Nation's Cup. "Hopefully we have some intelligence as well.'' While victory at the World Championships would have represented his crowning glory, he said that a triumph at the Omega Gold Cup would similarly provide much in terms of accomplishment.

"It would really be a great milestone in my career,'' he added. "I know the rest of the competitors believe that the Omega (Gold Cup) is the most difficult one to win.'' Even with the thought of a $30,000 winners' cheque and a set of Omega watches, as well as all the other pleasurable activities associated with the regatta, Baird said that he particularly looked forward to the midweek charity race.

On this day skippers employ members of a particular Bermuda charity -- often the handicapped -- on board as crew and have a fun race to benefit these organisations.

The M.V. Longtail has been designated as the official Gold Cup Club yacht and will be available to interested parties wishing to witness the final rounds.

This will start on October 22, with the quarter-finals and continue through to the final series with the club open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Live commentary and refreshments will be provided and hourly service between Albouy's Point and the race course will allow members to conveniently board and disembark.

Membership can be purchased by calling 292-0282 or 238-8681.

There will be a cocktail cruise on Saturday from 6.30-8 p.m. which is expected to have many of the Omega Gold Cup skippers and crew in attendance. Cost is $12.50.

A happy hour cruise is also slated for Thursday, October 21, 7-9 p.m., also costing $12.50. The above listed numbers apply for interested parties.

ED BAIRD -- Will have a score to settle with defending champion Russell Coutts after a loss recently in the final of the World Championships in Perth, Australia.