There will be no need for an introduction for local King Edward VII Gold Cup hopeful Blythe Walker when next week's presitigious regatta begins in Hamilton Harbour.

Last year saw the former Olympian become the first Bermudian skipper to reach the semi-finals of the annual sailing spectacle and win the Petite final since Peter Bromby achieved the remarkable feat in 2002.

Walker, who will again be joined onboard by crew Adam Barboza, Somers Kempe and Carola Cooper this year, edged Swiss rival Eric Monnin 3-2 in a best-of-five series to claim third place honours - and cap off an outstanding week of match racing.

Now the veteran skipper - one of two Bermudians who will fly the Island's flag when the oldest match racing trophy in the International One Design (IOD) fleet and $100,000 in prizes go up for grabs - is cautiously optimistic lightning will strike twice as he goes about trying to build upon last year's superb performance.

"I think the expectations are a bit higher than last year when we were virtual unknowns and managed to do well," Walker said. "Last year was great as we were able to pull things together.

"I wouldn't say we are going into it this year overconfident knowing that these guys are on the circuit 12 months of the year, whereas we get into it for a couple of months before the Gold Cup.

"I think we are at a slight disadvantage there but hopefully we can raise raise our game and compete on their level.

"We are just going to go out there and sail our best and I am confident in the team."

This year's Gold Cup - the 13th stage of the World Match Racing Tour - will showcase some of the world's elite skippers, including defending champion and world number one ranked match racer Ian Williams of Britain and America's Cup winning helmsman Ed Baird of the US.

Englishman Williams also currently leads the 2007 World Match Racing Tour standings with 122 points followed by France's Mathieu Richard (98 points) and Italian Paolo Cian (86) in second and third respectively.

"It's going to be tough," Walker acknowledged.

The format for next week's 59th edition of the Gold Cup will see 21 teams divided into three groups of seven. The three groups will sail a single round robin with the eventual top two from each group advancing to the quarter-final round.

The third and fourth place skippers from each round robin will advance to a Repechage Round or a wildcard consisting of a single round robin, with the top two advancing to the quarter-finals.

There will also be consolation rounds for teams eliminated in the quarter-finals or semi-finals.

Matches in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final could be either a best-of-three or best-of-five race series.

All skippers will draw for boats prior to the start of racing on each day of the five-day event which begins on Tuesday.

"The format in itself is pretty intense as you are straight in there with all of the seeds and there's no room for mistakes," Walker said.

"But I'm feeling good going into the event with the same team as last year."

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the prestigious Gold Cup trophy, with the eventual winner set to pocket $35,000 for their efforts.

Also carrying the Island's hopes is 2007 national match racing champion Glenn Astwood who is making a return following a lengthy hiatus.

Astwood will be accompanied onboard by Blair Simmons, Eddie Bardgett and Stephen King.

"Having two Bermudians in the mix is going to be a great help and give people two boats to cheer for," Walker said.

"And I think it would be superb if we can get through the quarter or semis or hopefully further as it would be a win-win for the centennial year."