A record number of entries have been received by the organisers of this year's Newport to Bermuda Race.

"We have 183 entries so far, which represents a record as the previous one was 181," said the new Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Les Crane yesterday.

The event starts on June 14 and Crane said much behind the scenes planning had gone on.

"The key thing is that for, not just this race, but the previous two races we have had a development committee. They have been basically getting people in various classes and various locales to focus on doing the race and understood what is involved in doing it," he said.

"It is a bit intimidating to a lot of people because it's the first offshore race for some and they have to learn about it and get comfortable with the idea of doing it."

As Commodore Crane will not be taking part in the race himself, but he said the honour of the position he held compensated for that.

"It's the thrill of a lifetime," he said. "It's the first time I haven't been sailing in the race since 1990 and that's a negative, but it's more than worth it to be on the receiving end."

Crane, who took over from Somers Cooper at the helm of the RBYC recently, said he wanted to continue the fine traditions of the organisation.

"Somers did a fabulous job and the club is moving along beautifully," he said. "I just hope to follow in his footsteps."