The early stages of Hurricane Felix caused postponement of the Esso Around the Island Powerboat Race just over two weeks ago and once again wreaked havoc on the event last Sunday. But the delays have done little to alter Andy Stoneham's intentions of a repeat triumph in the annual spectacle.

Last year saw Stoneham overcome a myriad of technical and mechanical problems with his 21-foot Douglas Skater as well as a frantic battle along South Shore with rival Michael Araujo to capture line and C Class honours and the defending champion this week saw no reason why a similar scenario could not unfold once again.

Again set to be joined in the cockpit by nephew Ascento Russell, Stoneham unequivocally pronounced the tandem as being ready to tackle this year's fleet and it was readily apparent that nothing short of victory would satisfy him.

"I was ready last week, the boat's just sitting inside with its pyjamas on waiting for the day,'' said Stoneham, who operates a boat trailer business with former racing partner Timmy Boyles. Stoneham has previously competed in motocross, karts as well as harness racing.

"I think we will do even better this time, because last year we had a couple of minor incidents -- we stalled three times and broke our skag halfway down South Shore which hindered steering.

"If we get a good, clean run we should be able to come out on top as we did last year.'' As the reigning champion Stoneham squarely wears the bulls-eye tag for which all others will shoot, yet he remained unperturbed.

Asked if he was worried or was feeling any pressure as the pre-race favourite, Stoneham casually rebuffed any notion of his carrying any added burden.

"It's nothing, I just handle it like any other race,'' he said. "Somebody has to be on top.'' Indeed Stoneham has become a fixture riding the crest, dominating the C Class last year and although he has only competed once this year during regular season action at Ferry Reach, that outing predictably witnessed him out in front, seizing the checkered flag.

And unless the others have "stepped up'' their performance levels since that time they may again find themselves seeing little more than the wake emanating from the stern of Stoneham's speed machine.

All will likely depend, however, on how the veteran driver negotiates the devilish minefield that is South Shore.

So often the burial ground for racers, where reefs can appear from nowhere, choppy seas are the norm and any minor transgression could result in one's ouster. It is there where victory or defeat is often determined.

Stoneham agreed, saying: "Definitely South Shore is the key. You have big ocean ground swells and reefs that pop up and if you don't know where you're going it can bite you.'' Until Sunday the question remains whether Stoneham is up to that challenge.

SPEED MERCHANTS -- Andy Stoneham and co-pilot Ascento Russell, arms raised, are seen racing across the line to victory during last year's Around the Island race.