There was no shortage of drama on the start line of yesterday's Marion to Bermuda Race for local entry Bermuda Oyster.

Paul Hubbard's Oyster 435 sloop suffered damage high atop her mast when a haylord gave way just moments after the official start to the 645-mile ocean crossing.

After a few anxious moments, however, the damaged fitting was quickly replaced and Hubbard and crew continued on their journey out of Buzzard's Bay towards the open Atlantic.

Apart from that minor incident, the remainder of the 78-strong racing fleet got off without a hitch under sunny skies and in northerly breezes of 15 to 20 knots.

Hubbard captured the Corporation of Hamilton trophy during the last Marion to Bermuda Race two years ago.

Also flying the banner for Bermuda in this year's race are skippers Sandy Mitchell, David Roblin, Robert Mulderig and Nick Weare.

At last report last night, most of the fleet were making good headway, sailing downwind and were expected to clear Buzzard's Bay around 10 p.m. local time.

"Bermuda Oyster had a little problem. They lost a haylord and had to go up the mast. But it didn't particularly impede their start and they managed to carry out repairs and carry on," said Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club commodore Jack Rhind from the Beverly Yacht Club in Massachusetts yesterday.

"We had a wonderful downwind start which is always colourful and very good for the spectators. But it was a great day with pretty ideal conditions for the start of the race. And the remainder of the local fleet all got off without incident."

Meanwhile, Beverly Yacht Club commodore Richard Heal has predicted the first boat will reach local waters by Monday and that the official race record will also fall.

"Because this year we have the bigger boats and if the present conditions hold, then the first boat should probably arrive in Bermuda sometime between Monday afternoon or early evening," predicted Healy. "We also expect that we will have a new record because of the bigger boats. It takes a while for the fleet to get out of here (Buzzard's Bay) but hopefully they will be out by nightfall. And with the way the winds are, they definitely should reach open water by nightfall."

This year's racing fleet is again predominately comprised of US and Canadian skippers.

The Marion to Bermuda Race was first run in 1977 when H.D. Marcus became the first skipper to win the bi-ennial regatta. For the first time in race history, larger boats up to 80 feet have been permitted to compete. Entries were previously restricted to a maximum of 62 feet. Also, this year's entries have all been permitted the use of cruising spinnakers for the first time.