with eight local entries set to attempt the 645-mile crossing from the east coast port, starting June 18.

Alphida , the first boat across the line in 1991 and skippered by Kirk Cooper, leads the list which numerically represents a marked improvement from the previous race when just three Bermuda boats answered the starting gun.

Two-time Corporation of Hamilton Trophy winner Paul Hubbard ( Tonka ) returns to defend that title -- best Bermuda boat on corrected time -- and is joined by second year man Dr. Colin Cooper ( Vivace ).

Rounding out the group are first timers -- as Marion-Bermuda skippers -- David Roblin ( Lullabye ), Robert Mulderig ( Starr Trail ), Leslie Swainson ( Scheherazade ), Nicholas Dill ( Dillightful ) and Buddy Rego ( Tsunami ).

This year's event boasts a total of 119 entries, an increase of two from 1991, but well under the record number of 163 vessels which crossed the starting line in 1989.

Commodore of local host club The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, Victor Garcia expressed pleasure at the size of the Bermuda contingent.

"It is very encouraging to the race committee to see a significant amount of Bermuda boats this year,'' said Garcia, who plays a major role in organising the financing of the event. "This is a joint venture and the numbers confirm the continued attraction of it.

"Bermuda's entrants are typical of the entrants from the United States and Canada in that they are professional people who enjoy cruising.'' Cooper is senior among those. With three Marion races already under his belt as well as 12 Newport to Bermuda crossings he has become somewhat of a fixture.

Two years ago saw a ripped sail within half an hour of the start threaten to wreck Cooper's bid, but fast crew work allowed them to recover and continue on their way without further incident.

As a scratch boat Cooper knows he has to finish a healthy margin ahead of the other handicapped entries if he is to stand a chance of capturing overall (corrected time) honours.

"Everybody on board wants to win something,'' said Cooper, whose boat has already been delivered to the east coast. "it makes working hard at sea and going through some of the difficult times worthwhile.

"It's harder for us because we are a scratch boat, which means we better get down here first or we haven't got a chance of winning anything.

"You always feel good about finishing, but even better when you finish well.'' On everyone's mind is the Gulf Stream and the best way to conquer it. With its unpredictability and accompanying pitfalls it presents a tough test for all concerned.

Nicholas Dill III, teaming for the first time on this venture with his father, noted that this would probably be the key aspect of the journey.

"The Gulf Stream is very varied and you're never sure what to expect,'' said Dill. "I've sailed through it six or seven times and it can really slow you if you get in the wrong eddy or something.

"The ideal scenario would be a good steady breeze coming out of the north or south so that we're not in a reach all the way down and that we hit the Gulf Stream at the right space so that we can scream across and come ahead (to Bermuda) in about four days.'' Pipe Dream , competing in the Daytona-Bermuda Race, was expected to be first across the finish line in St. David's early this morning.

Skippered by Dr. Scott Piper of Miami, Florida, the J40 sloop was reportedly leading over fellow Floridian John Martin's Scirocco with Gene Boyd ( Bananas ) third.

Fifteen boats started the race May 28, however on Wednesday Canadian Doug Powell ( La Padolu ) was forced to abort his attempt and head back towards the east coast while suffering from equipment failure.

CALM BEFORE THE STORM? -- Veteran yachtsman Paul Hubbard, centre, pictured aboard his Marion-Bermuda race entry Tonka with Barbara Ashley and navigator Gary Venning. The threesome, along with two other crew members, will be out defending the Corporation of Hamilton Trophy in this year's event.