be the biggest in history.

Starting from Newport on June 16, the prestigious ocean race, which will feature a number of classes including the newly-introduced "Classic Yacht'' division, is expected to attract as many as 200 boats.

Race chairman Ron Trossbach said yesterday: "When asked for my best estimate of how many will start I have been saying 190. But I wouldn't be surprised to see many more -- as many as 201 -- nor disappointed to see a few less.'' As of the last week of April, Trossbach said 53 paid applications were on file and 143 other requests for entry had been made while 12 more boats had made berthing reservations in Bermuda but had not requested entry information or filed an entry application.

"Then there are the surprises,'' Trossbach added. "People who have never asked for an entry package, newsletter or RFE who send in a completed entry application with a cheque. We have been getting one to three of these a week.

These really make my day.'' This Friday is the entry deadline "without penalty'', explained Trossbach.

After May 12 the fee goes up by $200. Then after June 8, no entries will be accepted without an additional administrative fee of $200.

Meanwhile, the five-race Onion Patch Series, which traditionally starts before Newport-Bermuda, will this year be sailed for the North American IMS Championship. All yachts entered in the IMS Racing and Cruiser/Racer divisions of the Newport-Bermuda Race are invited to take part as individual entries or form three-boat teams.

The Onion Patch will include the New York Yacht Club annual regatta on June 10 and 11 in Newport, the Newport-Bermuda Race, and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Anniversary Regatta in the Great Sound.