Champion duo Graham Sutherland and Chris Wells will be looking to successfully defend their 2008 Round the Island title when Bermuda Powerboat Association (PBA) host the 48th edition of the big race tomorrow.

The pair, driving boat D-13, completed the course in 45 minutes and five seconds last year with rookie racers David Selley and co-pilot Jordan Fletcher finishing second.

Race director Ernie Mello is hopeful a big crowd will be on hand tomorrow to witness the event, which starts and finishes at Ferry Reach.

"I think it will be a great day as long as the weather holds up," said Mello. "We've have had good cooperation with the government authorities and we have a 50 percent increase in entries and 50 percent increase in the personal water crafts.

"So overall it has been going good thus far and it all depends on the day and the weather.

"We should beat our attendance from last year, we have done so already with entries so we will see how it goes."

A total of 21 boats have registered for the event compared 17 a year ago.

The day kicks off with the jet skis starting at 12 noon while the newly introduced Thundercat boats will start at 1.55 p.m.

The main racing of the day begins at 2 pm with the A-Class boats followed by the larger boats.