Island, this weekend to join the other two Bermuda boats already there preparing for the June 19 race.

And he will be hoping for better luck in his Newport debut than he enjoyed in his first Marion outing last year.

Steering problems put him out of contention in that race, but, said Couper, "We're hoping that Lady Luck will shine on us this year.'' Although this will be his first Newport experience as skipper, Couper is a veteran of three previous Newport races -- the first back in 1964 with Tom Kelly.

He also did back-to-back races with Jerry Trimingham in 1982 and '84.

This time, however, he will be at the helm of his own boat which he acquired just two-and-a-half years ago from Peter Mathieson. The 38-foot Sabre-designed sloop was formerly called Over Ride .

"I have no illusions that we're going to head the fleet but I have got an extremely good crew,'' said Couper.

Navigator David Lewis will again be on board as will Marion stalwarts Steve Sherwin and American Gred Shugart.

Also joining Couper on board Vivace will be James Burnett-Herkes and his son James Jr., with Stephen Kempe completing the picture.

Couper is the only Bermuda representative in the Racing Division which will be competing for the St.David's Lighthouse Trophy. Eldon Trimingham's Escape and Nicholas Dill's Dillightful are in the Cruising Division contest for the Royal Mail Trophy.

A stickler for safety, Couper will be taking every measure possible to ensure that the boat is fully prepared for the rigours of an ocean crossing.

Earlier this year, he and Lewis attended a `Safety at Sea' conference in Newport, at which an address was given by Bermuda's Charlie Kempe.

Kempe is Escape 's navigator this year.

COUPER'S CHALLENGE -- Skipper Colin Couper, right, on board Vivace with crew-members, from left, James Burnett-Herkes, James Burnett-Herkes, Jr., Stephen Kempe and David Lewis.