The 18th Annual Knickerbocker Cup which is the only Grade 1 world class match racing event on the East Coast will be held at the Knickerbocker Yacht Club on Manhasset Bay Aug. 27 to Aug. 29. Eight J-105 sailboats, each with world class skippers plus three in crew are to participate again in this prestigious event.

The eight world class skippers who will participate are:

* Tony Rey, USA

* Paula Lewin, Bermuda

* Tomislav Basic, Croatia

* Geir Dahl Andersen, Norway

* David Dellenbaugh, USA

* Andy Green, Great Britian

* Phillipe Presti, France

* Andy Horton, USA

The above eight skippers with their crews will race in the match races in Manhasset Bay.

The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Aug. 26; registration, weigh-in, practice, skipper and umpire meetings 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. - welcoming cocktail party for skippers, crew, umpires and volunteers.

Friday, Aug. 28; qualifying rounds of match racing.

Saturday, Aug. 28; semi finals -- during the day followed by an evening gala KYC celebration dinner and dancing at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 29; finals and awards ceremony immediately following the conclusion of racing.

A daily press conference will be held 30 minutes after the last race of each day.

The boating public is invited to watch the races from monitored areas close to the race course.