Richard Breeden describes himself as a "corporate intensive care doctor" because he specialises in rehabilitating floundering companies.

However, come next week Friday, he will be hoping to find the right medicine to triumph in the Newport-Bermuda Race.

Fulfilling this quest would be the "dream of a lifetime" for this sailing veteran of 35 years.

"I want to be top dog - you bet! There's only one position to come in and that's first. We're in a race, we're not out there to take second. We're underdogs because there are bigger and faster boats but none that try harder.

"I'm not going to be in the Olympics or in the Americas Cup so, for me, this is the absolute pinnacle of the sport. The boats and crews that have won it are among the great legends of sailing.

"It's an honour to be a participant and we love doing to race regardless of where we finish but certainly the appeal of winning is a dream - hopefully it's a little less remote than winning the lottery. It would really be the achievement of a lifetime for most of our crew and we would have the reward of spending time in Bermuda," said Breeden whose vessel, Bright Star, seems all the more aptly named given his mission.

As he prepares to take part in this yachting competition for the fifth time, he has assembled an experienced crew to help make his dream a reality. Watch captain Bill Jenkins is a top-class ocean racer while navigator Larry Rosenfeld is equally proficient in his area. Sail designer Chris Williams has been recruited as tactician. Breeden's son, Prescott, will be among the group and, though just 19 years-old, he should prove an asset as he makes his fourth Newport-Bermuda crossing. The elder Breeden will steer the vessel.

"In the racing division, some people have professionals who drive the boat for them but others, like myself, steer their own boats. We don't have a professional helmsman. I do it myself."

Bright Star is a 78-foot custom-made boat, designed by Reichel Pugh and built in 1997. Breeden acquired her from the original owner last year.

"Her name comes from the Star-Spangled Banner which has a line in it referring to bright stars. I like that name. It's pretty traditional that if you get a name that's what you name each of your boats," said the 52-year-old who had another boat christened similarly.

However, this one may well star more brightly if early indications are anything to go by.

This vessel holds the record for the Cape Town (South Africa) to Rio (Brazil) race - set before Breeden bought her - and performed well at last year's Americas Cup Jubilee in England, finishing first among American boats in a race around the Isle of Wight. Then, in the Fastnet Race - from England to Ireland and back - it was among the top ten. This was particularly heartening for Breeden as that is almost the same distance as the Newport to Bermuda stretch.

Also, in last year's Marblehead (Massachusetts) to Halifax (Nova Scotia) race, Bright Star established the second fastest time since 1905.

The skipper should also be buoyed by his performances in previous Newport-Bermuda races. In 1996 and 1998 he placed in the top ten and in 2000 he was second in Class One of the cruiser racers.