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Simon MINOPRIO from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is back to defend the title he won last year, and with twelve months more experience, and a few more trophies in his cabinet, his rivals will have to put in a big effort to beat him.

In last year's final Simon beat Michael DUNSTAN of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, who had won the inaugural event in 2003, and he's been putting in plenty of practice, so the trans-Tasman rivalry will be strong.

Back again from New Zealand, after finishing third last year, is Laurie JURY also of the RNZYS, a club that has turned out a few champions.

Sweden's Emil WIBERG seems to enjoy Perth at this time of year, because he's back again, well it's a bit warmer here than Gothenburg right now, can he make up for all the Swedes being knocked out of the tennis in the early rounds?

The British have sent a crew for the first time, headed by Ali HALL, who has distinguished himself sailing for the Oxford & Cambridge Sailing Society, but for this event is supported by the Royal Yachting Association.

The overseas contingent is completed by Brian ANGEL, from King Harbor Yacht Club in California, a relative newcomer to the international scene, he tried his hand on the senior circuit as an un-seeded skipper at Bermuda's Gold Cup, back in October.

There are two other Sydney based skippers in the line up, Seve JARVIN of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, and the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club's Murray GORDON, who finished tenth last year.

This will be Seve JARVIN'S first time at the Warren Jones Regatta, but he has some very good contacts here in Perth, because his father, Steve JARVIN, was a regular on Peter GILMOUR's crew for several years, winning the world championships with him.

There are four local skippers, who will be doing their best to put a Western Australian name of the trophy for the first time, and they all contested the series in 2004.

Keith SWINTON from the South of Perth Yacht Club was the best of the locals last year, finishing 5th, while Fremantle Sailing Club's Torvar MIRSKY and Adam GARNAUT of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club were equal sixth, and Royal Perth's Jackson DIGNEY Eighth.

Although the racing doesn't start until Monday, all the teams will get a chance to put in some practice on the water over the weekend.