Local boat Starr Trail - one of just five Bermuda entries in a fleet of 78 - was reported to be leading the Marion to Bermuda Race late yesterday.

Robert Mulderig's Far 72-foot sloop was some 295 miles west of Bermuda and cruising at a comfortable nine knots at Press time late last night.

Trailing Mulderig in second place was American skipper Jim Feeny onboard his classic 1960s wooden vessel Kathleen while compatriot Jay Anderson was reported to be in third at the helm of his boat, Heron.

Should conditions hold, then it's predicted that the first boat could arrive as early as tonight while it's highly likely that a new race record will also be established, given this year's fleet is comprised of bigger boats in excess of the traditional 60-feet. Cruising spinnakers have also been allowed for the first time during this, the 14th edition of the biennial race.

Yesterday, most of the skippers reported encountering little difficulty negotiating the notorious currents of the Gulf Stream, and as of late last night, the majority of the fleet were expected to have passed through the stream and making steady progress to Bermuda.

So far, only one entry has abandoned the 645-mile ocean crossing and that was just prior to Friday's start in Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts.

"At the moment Starr Trail is out in front and I think that they have increased their lead somewhat over second placed boat Kathleen," reported race spokesperson Richard Heal who flew into the Island yesterday.

"The lead boats are located just south of the Gulf Stream and the remainder of the racing fleet should clear the stream late tonight (last night).

"They (lead boats) are well beyond the halfway mark and if they can keep that pace up then we should be talking with them tomorrow night.

"If they can maintain their present speed then I expect them to be here early tomorrow evening."

The Marion to Bermuda Race was first run in 1977 when H.D. Marcus tasted victory. This year's racing fleet is again predominantly comprised of US and Canadian skippers.

The other local entries, Bermuda Oyster, Perseverance, Zephyr and Lullaby, were all reported last night to be making good progress.