books this weekend by notching back to back wins in the Around The Island race.

DeSilva swept to victory last year despite the fact that thieves made off with his race propeller in the run-up to the event.

He made do with a pleasure boat replacement and will use the same set-up in tomorrow's BTC Mobility sponsored race, working on the theory that `if it isn't broken, don't fix it'.

Last year he woke up on the morning of the race believing he would take the chequered flag, and 12 months on he remains equally hopeful.

"I'm always confident. I do not race to lose,'' he said defiantly.

If DeSilva does retain his title it will be the first time since the 1970s that the feat has been achieved. Lifting the trophy this year would be doubly sweet as co-pilot Eddie Roberts is set to step down at the end of the event.

"I think Craig Selley was the last person to do it (back to back wins) and that has got to have been back in the 1970s,'' he said.

"We won it five years ago and came close the following year. We were leading all the way to Castle Roads and three boats passed us. That was close so hopefully we can do it this year.'' DeSilva said he expected the competition to be tough, but believed the weather could play a significant role, especially along South Shore where it is likely to get choppy.

"It will make driving a bit harder. But driving is all in the head not the foot. The younger crowd have to learn it's in the head not the foot,'' he said.