Colin Couper is already getting excited about next month's Marion-Bermuda race, his seventh attempt at the ocean crossing.

Couper, who completed the Newport-Bermuda race last year, will be taking a crew of ten or 11 aboard Babe on the 645 mile journey on June 17.

“I think it should be a great race,” said Couper, who will sail his boat down from her mooring in Newport three days before the race.

“I'm quite excited about it. For the first time we can use asymmetric spinnakers, which will basically act like a big, billowy jib, so that is something different.

“It should speed us up a bit from the last time and make for some interesting sailing.”

A faulty alternator that left his boat out of electricity meant the crew arrived home unshaved and pungent from Newport last year - a problem that has since been repaired.

“That is not something we have to worry about this time,” said Couper, whose crew had to manage without lights below deck to save power for navigation lap-tops.

“I got it looked at when we got back and now it has been replaced we don't have to worry about such conditions.

“It will still be a challenging race. Each race is different but the Marion race is very special and I am looking forward to racing it again.”

Couper, who has been involved in ocean racing for 40 years, first entered the Marion race in 1991, completing six of the crossings before having to take a break in 2003. But he will be back this year - and once again will have a special passenger aboard.

After being impressed with the sailing skills of Governor Sir John Vereker during last year's Newport-Bermuda race, Couper invited the British senior civil servant aboard again this time around.

“He is a very positive influence on the crew,” said Couper, who kept the Governor's presence aboard Babe last year a closely guarded secret.

“Sir John is very affable and gets on with people of all ages and he was a pleasure to have aboard. He does have some sailing experience and he certainly wasn't a hindrance during the Newport race.

“We look forward to having him with us again.”