A trio of young Bermudians will receive their initiation into ocean racing during this year's Newport-Bermuda Race.

Anthoni Lightbourne and Jaime Billings, both 17-year-old members of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, will be aboard Starr Trail in a continuation of the youth sailing apprenticeship programme first launched in 1996 with Nirvana .

They'll be joined by 16-year-old Kaitlin Mulderig, daughter of Starr Trail owner/captain Robert Mulderig, in the 635-mile trans-Atlantic crossing that begins on June 19.

Two years ago, six Bermudians and six Americans got their first taste of competition when they joined the crew of Nirvana , the 81-foot maxi which held the 14-year record for the fastest elapsed time in the big race.

That initiative proved "extremely beneficial,'' said Brian Billings, past commodore of the RBYC who helped hatch the plan.

Ironically, one of the Nirvana crew, Steven King, enjoyed the experience so much that he's now a regular with Starr Trail and has logged some 5,000 miles on Mulderig's 72-foot Farr in the past year.

"Here's an example of a young Bermudian who had never gone to sea, found out he loved it, and has since got a chance to see the world, meet different people and experience a real adventure,'' said Billings.

Another Nirvana graduate, Jesse DeCouto, will be crewing for Dr. Colin Couper, as he charters Brigadoon .

Billings approached Mulderig last year seeking a similar arrangement for the 1998 race and quickly got the okay. Mulderig is "very supportive'' of introducing young Bermudians to not only sailing but the "team-building spirit'' it provides, said Billings.

Starr Trail is believed to be the only boat among the 175-strong fleet continuing the novice programme.

Lightbourne, who has experience sailing on a tall ship in the North Sea two years ago, was chosen on the recommendations of his Bermuda Sea Cadet commanders. Jaime Billings, a native of El Salvador, just missed out being one of the six picked two years ago and his father, who will also be among Starr Trail's 16-member crew, said he wanted to make sure the youngster didn't get overlooked twice.

The criteria: "Youngsters who are interested in the sea and who normally wouldn't get an opportunity to get involved in a race of this level and prestige,'' said Billings, who also sailed with Nirvana in 1996.

Both were interviewed by the boat's captain. Said Phil Wilson, this year handling Starr Trail's ground preparations: "They look like pretty strong lads and we're happy with who (the RBYC) chose.'' Aboard Starr Trail , the youths are expected to get an opportunity to steer, work the foredeck, change sails and receive tips from the boat's navigator, Warren Brown.

Jaime Billings, who has experienced crewing in Bermuda Offshore Cruising Association races, won't have far to go when he meets the Starr Trail gang. He attends Eagle Hill Academy in Hardwick, Massachusetts, and just has to drive down the coast to Jamestown, Rhode Island, where the boat arrived this week.

Lightbourne attends school in Bermuda and has received sponsorship from Stevedoring Services, who paid for his airfare to Rhode Island.

Kaitlin Mulderig attends school in Newport.

Apart from the three teenagers, Mulderig will carry an otherwise experienced crew, including Blair Simmons, Glenn Astwood and Tom Wadson. Others making the voyage are Eoin Roe, Billy Dawson, Brian Hillier, Paul Watson, Sam Croll and Aleck Roberts.

Jaime Billings