Steven Vestbirk, crewing aboard Defiant .

The pair were in a jovial mood -- they blamed it on fatigue -- as they attended to last-minute details at Newport Marina.

Asked their strategy for the Newport-Bermuda Race, Vasic said: "Try not to wiggle -- and make sure that the boats with a slower handicap are behind you.'' Added Vestbirk: "Sail fast, keep it in a straight line and and keep out of the way of things that may slow you down.'' What's so special about the race that prompts them to try it in the 20-year-old 40-footer, Vasic hesitates for a moment then says: "I think it's the challenge of man against the wallet.'' And what of Defiant's chances? "About 160-1. I think those are pretty fair odds,'' said Vestbirk, not needing to add that there are only 162 boats in the race.

Vestbirk can get away with saying things like this because he's the boat's owner, even though he's only listed as second mate on the crew list. He bought Defiant a year ago and registered her in Bermuda but the boat has never been in Island waters.

But she'll be kept permanently in Bermuda upon arrival.

For the race, Vestbirk has turned over the captain's chair to his father in law, Col. Mike Brown. Besides Vasic, one of the organisers of the Bermuda Offshore Cruising Association, the crew consists of Paul Hyles, Steve Hackett, Bob Cunningham, Eric Huntington, Andy Annett and Guy Brown. Every one on board has done an ocean race and "most of us have sailed together for a long time in BOCA.'' But they have not spent a lot of time together aboard Defiant and Vasic conceded that familiarity with the boat is one of the challenges they face.

Another is logistics. "It's an incredible organisational challenge,'' said Vasic, rhyming off food, water, safety equipment, rating certificates, man overboard drills. "Actually, by the time you get sailing, it's almost relaxing,'' said Vestbirk.