Spirit of Bermuda will face stern competition during next month’s Marion to Bermuda Race.The triple masted schooner will go up against the 90-foot ketch, Belle Aventure, which is the only other entry in the new Classic Yacht Division.Spirit of Bermuda was the sole entry in the experimental ‘Spirit of Tradition Division’ during last year’s Newport Bermuda Race, completing the ocean crossing in a corrected time of 73 hours, 20 minutes and 17 seconds.The 118 foot sloop has been chartered by businessman Preston Hutchings who has assembled an experienced crew that includes professional captain Karen McDonald, navigator Larry Rosenfeld and Sailing Master Alan Burland who is also a past Olympian sailor. The Royal Gazette senior sports reporter Colin Thompson is among the well blended crew.Helmsman Hutchings is no stranger to the Marion to Bermuda Race. In 2007 his NYYC 42 yacht, Morgan’s Ghost, was the first boat across the finish line in a corrected time of three days, 22 hours, 47 minutes and 56 seconds.The biennial 645-mile ocean race from Buzzards Bay, Marion, Massachusetts to St David’s Head, Bermuda starts on June 14.There are only two local entries competing in this year’s ocean race, the other being the 40-foot Hinckley, Alice Kay, that has registered in the Founders Division. Alice Kay will be captained by George Cubbon who is currently competing in the International One Design (IOD) during Bacardi Bermuda International Invitational Race Week.Since its inception in 1977, the Marion Bermuda Race has evolved into a premier ocean race that appeals to a broad range of non-professional cruising and racing enthusiasts, sailing 32-80 foot Cruising and Racer/Cruising monohull yachts. The race is organised and run entirely by hundreds of volunteering members of Beverly Yacht Club (BYC), Blue Water Sailing Club (BWSC) and Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) for the Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race Association.