Bermuda Olympic Association last night finalised the Island's Pan American Games squad which will travel to Argentina next month, thrusting two local sports -- water skiing and karate -- into the international games arena for the first time.

Veteran water skier Kent Richardson and a karate team of five, all reportedly from different clubs, will make history when they step out for the opening ceremony in the coastal resort of Mar del Plata on March 11.

Both sports have been represented at an international level -- only last October Bermudian Gladwin (Roots) Phillips carried off the 66 kilogram title at the World Karate Championships in Buenos Aires -- but never before at the Pan-Am, Commonwealth or Olympic Games which fall under the BOA umbrella.

Phillips was, as expected, among the five selected last night along with Eugene Ford, Roger Trimm and Nigel Williams, all of whom will compete in kumite form, and Bobby Smith who will compete in kata.

In total more than 50 athletes representing six sports were confirmed for the Games -- one of the largest squads ever to travel to Pan-Am competition. In addition to water skiing and karate, Bermuda's flag will fly at the soccer, track and field, cycling and sailing venues.

Soccer accounts for more than half the total party with 24 players named, 18 of whom will eventually travel along with five officials -- two coaches, a physiotherapist, manager and equipment man.

Having qualified on the ill-fated trip to Jamaica in December where they beat the host nation and Canada before seven members were arrested on drugs charges on the way home, the team now face what many will consider mission impossible.

Last week's Pan-Am soccer draw pitted Bermuda against world champions Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica in arguably the toughest round robin group of the competition.

The team's first game will be against Chile on Friday, March 10 -- a day before the official opening ceremony -- in the town of Tandil some 100 miles outside Mar del Plata.

While neither soccer, karate, nor water skiing are expected to produce a medal, Bermuda will have higher hopes among the nine-strong sailing team and four track and field athletes.

Triple jumper Brian Wellman, unbeaten in international competition so far this year and bronze medallist at last summer's Commonwealth Games, is the most obvious candidate for a medal, although he will face a world class field including his world champion coach, American Mike Conley.

Jennifer Fisher, currently embroiled in a row over her non-selection for Saturday's CAC cross country championships being hosted by Bermuda, had no problem persuading BOA officials of her Pan-Am worth, earning a spot on the strength of her 800 and 1500 metres performances at the Commonwealth Games.

Middle distance runner and steeplechaser Terrance Armstrong and sprinter Troy Douglas, who reached the 200 metre final in Victoria, will almost certainly join the team -- although BOA secretary general John Hoskins pointed out last night that their selection was dependent on the association receiving documents proving that they had maintained a high level of fitness while abroad.

Little has been heard of Douglas since the Commonwealth Games as he now resides in Holland. Armstrong, first local finisher in last month's International 10K, will run a 1500 metres race next week after which it is expected his selection will be confirmed.

In sailing, Bermuda has a real medal hope in Peter Bromby who only this week returned from Florida where he beat the Olympic gold medallist and the current world champion on his way to winning the Olympic Star Class regatta with crew Lee White.

On the waters off Mar del Plata, Bromby will compete in the J24 class again with crew White plus Dennis Correia and Blythe Walker.

Paula Lewin, according to Hoskins, represents another medal chance in the Radial Laser class, having come off her best ever year in international sailing.

Bermuda's world sunfish champion Malcolm Smith has been selected for the Laser class, while Stevie Dickinson and crew Heath Foggo will sail Snipes and Elizabeth Walker the Europe Dinghy.

"It's without doubt one of the strongest sailing teams we've ever sent to a major games,'' noted Hoskins. "We've got high hopes.'' Rounding out the squad will be cyclist Elliott Hubbard, currently training with his semi-professional team in France.

His performance at last summer's Commonwealth Games was the best ever by a local rider in international competition, and while not considered a realistic medal hope in Argentina, he's aiming to place among the top 25 percent in a road race entry which will include crack Colombian and American teams.

While most of next month's events will take place in or around Mar del Plata, it's understood the karate competition will be held in the capital, Buenos Aires.

Bermuda's full Pan-Am squad: Track and Field -- Brian Wellman (triple jump), Jennifer Fisher (800m, 1500m), Terrance Armstrong (1500m, provisional), Troy Douglas (200m, provisional).

Sailing -- Peter Bromby, Lee White, Dennis Correia, Blythe Walker (J24 class); Stevie Dickinson, Heath Foggo (Snipe); Malcolm Smith (Laser); Paula Lewin (Radial Laser); Elizabeth Walker (Europe Dinghy).

Water skiing: Kent Richardson.

Karate: Bobby Smith (kata), Eugene Ford, Gladwin Phillips, Roger Trimm, Nigel Williams (kumite).

Cycling: Elliott Hubbard.

Soccer: 18 players (names still to be finalised).

GLADWIN (ROOTS) PHILLIPS -- one of five Bermuda karate experts who will make history at next month's Pan-Am Games.