A bearing system comprising: an inner ring having an inner circumferential surface surrounding an axis of rotation, an outer circumferential surface spaced radially outwardly from said inner circumferential surface, a fore end surface extending from said inner circumferential surface to said outer circumferential surface, and an aft end surface axially spaced from said fore end surface and extending from said inner circumferential surface to said outer circumferential surface; an outer ring spaced radially outwardly of said inner ring; and a plurality of bearing elements supported by a cage positioned between said inner and said outer rings (36,38); characterised in that: said inner ring includes at least one axial slot (62;116) formed within said inner circumferential surface of said inner ring and extending in a direction along said axis of rotation and wherein at least one of said aft and said fore end surfaces (58,60) includes at least one radial side slot (66;106) extending from said axial slot (62;116) toward said cage such that lubricating fluid is directed to said plurality of bearing elements by said axial slot (62;116) and said radial side slot (66;106); and said bearing system further comprises: an annulus formed at an intersection between said axial slot (62;116) and said radial side slot (66;106) to collect and supply lubricating fluid for distribution to said radial side slot (66;106), wherein said annulus is defined by a tapered surface that transitions from said inner circumferential surface to said at least one of said fore and said aft end surfaces (58,60). an inner ring having an inner circumferential surface surrounding an axis of rotation, an outer circumferential surface spaced radially outwardly from said inner circumferential surface, a fore end surface extending from said inner circumferential surface to said outer circumferential surface, and an aft end surface axially spaced from said fore end surface and extending from said inner circumferential surface to said outer circumferential surface; an outer ring spaced radially outwardly of said inner ring; and a plurality of bearing elements supported by a cage positioned between said inner and said outer rings (36,38); characterised in that: said inner ring includes at least one axial slot (62;116) formed within said inner circumferential surface of said inner ring and extending in a direction along said axis of rotation and wherein at least one of said aft and said fore end surfaces (58,60) includes at least one radial side slot (66;106) extending from said axial slot (62;116) toward said cage such that lubricating fluid is directed to said plurality of bearing elements by said axial slot (62;116) and said radial side slot (66;106); and said bearing system further comprises: an annulus formed at an intersection between said axial slot (62;116) and said radial side slot (66;106) to collect and supply lubricating fluid for distribution to said radial side slot (66;106), wherein said annulus is defined by a tapered surface that transitions from said inner circumferential surface to said at least one of said fore and said aft end surfaces (58,60). said inner ring includes at least one axial slot (62;116) formed within said inner circumferential surface of said inner ring and extending in a direction along said axis of rotation and wherein at least one of said aft and said fore end surfaces (58,60) includes at least one radial side slot (66;106) extending from said axial slot (62;116) toward said cage such that lubricating fluid is directed to said plurality of bearing elements by said axial slot (62;116) and said radial side slot (66;106); and said bearing system further comprises: an annulus formed at an intersection between said axial slot (62;116) and said radial side slot (66;106) to collect and supply lubricating fluid for distribution to said radial side slot (66;106), wherein said annulus is defined by a tapered surface that transitions from said inner circumferential surface to said at least one of said fore and said aft end surfaces (58,60). an annulus formed at an intersection between said axial slot (62;116) and said radial side slot (66;106) to collect and supply lubricating fluid for distribution to said radial side slot (66;106), wherein said annulus is defined by a tapered surface that transitions from said inner circumferential surface to said at least one of said fore and said aft end surfaces (58,60).