Bermuda's squad heading to the Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg, Canada, in just over a month's time will likely match, or even exceed, in numbers the record-breaking team that represented the Island at the same festival four years ago in Argentina.

That squad, which included the Under-21 soccer team, comprised 35 athletes and 16 officials.

But even without the soccer team -- they didn't enter the qualifying competition this time around -- Bermuda's party could total as many as 40 with Bermuda Olympic Association confirming yesterday that seven sports -- athletics, ten pin bowling, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, equestrian and sailing -- would be represented in Winnipeg.

The make-up of each sports team has yet to be decided with the BOA having set June 30 as the selection deadline.

However, a number of competitors have already been inked in, including bowlers Antoine Jones and Conrad Lister, silver medal heroes at last September's Commonwealth Games.

On that occasion, Bermuda's bowling team numbered just four but as many as eight could travel to Canada with the experienced Dean Lightbourn, arguably the Island's top bowler over the last decade, strengthening the squad.

In sailing, there's no place for Paula Lewin, bronze medallist on the waters off Mar del Plata in 1995, nor Star class ace Peter Bromby, as the lake on which this year's Pan-Am regatta will be staged can cater only to the dinghy classes.

However, Bermuda's world sunfish champion Malcolm Smith will be confident of equalling or even bettering Lewin's feat four years ago while Sara Lane Wright and Christian Luthi have already cemented their places in the respective Laser Radial and Laser classes.

Little has been heard this season of triple jumper Brian Wellman, Bermuda's most celebrated athlete -- he won the world indoor championships and took silver at the world outdoor championships in 1995 -- but he has already stated his commitment to the Pan-Ams and the world championships that follow.

Middle distance runner Terrance Armstrong should also be in the track and field team with sprinter Devon Bean another possible inclusion.

Professional Elliot Hubbard will be the only cyclist, but in swimming a number of youngsters are on course, the most notable being Stephen Fahy and Stephen Troake, both of whom have met the qualifying standard. They could be joined by Trevor Ferguson, Matthew Hammond, Ronald Cowen and Kiera Aitken, much depending on what transpires at the upcoming national championships.

Bermuda's gymnasts, who made their Games debut in Kuala Lumpur last September, again get the chance to impress on the international stage with three of the Commonwealth quartet -- Laura Murphy, Christina White and Leila Wadson -- contending for spots along with Alex Froncioni and Sasha Christensen.

Jenny Wright, who was also in Malaysia, has indicated she is unavailable as she attempts to set up her own gymasium in the US.

The Island's overseas-based horse riders have long targetted the Pan-Ams as their major goal for 1999 and as many as five riders could make the trip.

Providing they meet the qualifying standards, Chris Taylor, Cathy Fox and Annabelle Collins will ride in the dressage competition while MJ Tumbridge and Tim Collins hope to compete in the three-day event.

Winnipeg is the site of Bermuda's most memorable Pan-Am performance, the Island's soccer team having bagged silver back in 1967.

This year's Games, from July 23 to August 8, will attract teams from some 42 nations.

Antoine Jones: The Commonwealth Games silver medallist will be aiming for more international success at next month's Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg.

Stephen Fahy: has already booked his ticket to the Pan-Am Games.