Pond Prowler, one of a trio of local entries that registered for this year's Marion to Bermuda Race, made it safely back to port yesterday afternoon to bring to an end a bout with 25-30 knot headwinds.

Jonathan Baxter's C&C 37 plus-designed yacht retired from the 645-nautical mile race after switching on her engine to avoid a lull, thus putting paid to any hopes of defending their Corporation of Hamilton Trophy awarded to the local performer.

Earlier in the week Jonathan Brewin's 53-foot sloop, Big Bear, arrived safely under motor power after tearing her main on a beat to windward.

The J160 had positioned herself for both Class A and overall line honours before heavy winds took their toll just miles from the St.David's Lighthouse finish.

The third local boat in this year's race, Bermuda Oyster, did not make it to the start line in Buzzard's Bay, Marion a week ago due to mechanical problems and sailed to Newport, Rhode Island where she remains instead.

Yesterday also saw Silhouette take Class D line honours with an elapsed time of 142 hours, 12 minutes and 23 seconds while line honours in Class C went to Freestyle.

Class A line honours went to Cetacea while Class B, Celestial, overall line honours and overall winner on corrected time went to Martin Jacobson's Crescendo. Of the original 48 entries in this year's Marion to Bermuda Race, four did not start while 15 others retired.

The awards ceremony for the biennial event is scheduled for tomorrow at Commissioner's House at the former Royal Naval Dockyard.

Inaugurated in 1977, the Marion to Bermuda Race is co-sponsored by Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC), Beverly Yacht Club (BYC) and the Blue Water Sailing Club (BWSC).