The Around the Island Powerboat Race reigning champions, Ryan Davidge and Andrew Osbourne, have no intention of relinquishing their title when they take to water at Ferry Reach on Sunday.

Davidge and Osbourne were the first to complete the 54.2-mile course, finishing in a time of 46min 56sec to win both the B class and overall race last year.

Jody Carreiro, the Bermuda Power Boat Association commodore, believes that the pair’s hard work and dedication will put them in a strong position to retain their title.

“The reigning champions, Ryan Davidge and Andrew Osbourne, will definitely be ones to watch,” said Carreiro, who will be racing with his brother Tony in the B class.

“They will be shooting for it again this weekend. They are always testing their boat and keeping on top of things.

“Their boat is getting faster and faster and when you put in the hard work and dedication it shows at the end of the day. They have been racing for many years now and they have been looking good all season. I’m sure they will be trying everything they can to retain the title.”

Carreiro, who has won the A class for the last two years, has also tipped former winners Mark and David Selley to be challenging for B class honours.

“David and Mark Selley have been at the club since they were old enough to race,” Carreiro said.

“They have their sights set this year on taking the overall title and will be pushing their boat to the fullest to do so.”

Subtle changes have been made to this year’s race, said Carreiro, who confirmed that 13 boats had signed up for the race but expected another five or six to register before the weekend.

“The course is exactly the same as last year, the only difference is the classes,” he said. “Last year we had about nine classes but those classes have been consolidated down to four classes — A, B, D and S.

“Instead of having boats running in classes all by themselves, like we did last year, we will be guaranteed four or five boats in each class.”

The present course of the annual spectacle, which starts and finishes at Ferry Reach, was established in 1976. The course proceeds through the Pylons at Coney Island, along North Shore, and around a buoy off Gibbets Island.

Boats continue along North Shore and around Hog Fish Beacon, through Two Rocks Passage and around White’s Island. From there, boats continue through past Darrell’s Wharf, along the Harbour Road shoreline, around buoys at Five Star Island, along to Commissioner’s Point, around Daniels Head and on to South Shore.

Boats continue along South Shore to St David’s Head, then on to St Catherine’s Point, down North Shore and back into Ferry Reach for the finish.

Carreiro said that there would be plenty of entertainment on offer at Kindley Field Park and hoped that the Bermuda public turned out in their droves to support the event.

“This year we have set a kids and family zone where we will have bouncy castles, food vendors and a DJ.”

He added: “Hopefully it will be a great race and we just ask the people to respect the race, especially those on boats. We don’t want boats crossing the course and creating unnecessary wakes for the drivers.

“Our priority is safety, safety, safety.”

Start times

A Class: 2pm

B Class: 2.12pm

D Class: 2.18pm

S Class: 2.26pm