the start rather than send 103 boats into the path of tropical storm Arlene.

Five Bermuda-based yachts were among those competing in the biennial event, with the fleet scheduled to leave the south Massachusetts town of Marion last Friday.

Weather forcasters predicted Arlene would pass over Bermuda and then head north-west, close to the race route.

The notice of race stipulates: "We may postpone the start if unusually heavy weather is anticipated.'' Race chairman John Braitmayer said last Tuesday the race could be put back a few days, but he hoped it would not be necessary.

"We have three days to make a decision and we are watching the storm very closely,'' said Braitmayer. "We would postpone the start if it was not deemed appropriate to send the fleet out there.'' Regularly updated and detailed weather maps taken from the Internet were posted on the noticeboard at the Beverly Yacht Club, race hosts at the American end.

If the storm had followed the projected path being forecast last Tuesday, it would have drifted to the west of the route being taken by most of the competitors.

However, Arlene was still expected to be close enough to test the fleet with high winds and heavy seas.

Judging by last Monday's strength, the yachts would have encountered winds of around 34 knots and an accompanying huge swell, even if the storm had passed 50 miles west of them.

As it was, the boats were able to depart on time after the storm dissipated.

And Braitmayer said heavy weather could sometimes help sailors to achieve fast times -- it was a matter of how near to the storm they were prepared to sail.

"If you want to sail close to the wind, then you have to take the heavy seas -- you can't have one without the other,'' he said. "Big seas are not really much of a problem, it's when you get steep rogue waves close together that it gets difficult.'' He added that all competing boats were being inspected and that every one needed to have high grade lifejackets, a lifeboat, a short side band radio receiver and the crew should have written proof of having undergone a man overboard drill.

"Everyone is very conscious of safety,'' added Braitmayer. "This is not such a highly competitive race as Newport-Bermuda, it's more of a family race and so safety is a bigger concern than speed.'' All skippers received a weather briefing on the eve of the race from former Bermuda resident Herb Hilgenberg, who is now based in Toronto, Canada and is regarded as an expert on Atlantic weather.

Hilgenberg gave forecast updates to all competitors throughout the race via broadcasts on SSB radio.

And in case of severe difficulties, all boats were fitted with 406 EPIRB -- an emergency position-indicating radio beacon which sends out a signal unique to each craft which can be picked up by satellite from anywhere in the world.

This year, organisers were able to follow the race better than ever before, as six of the boats were fitted with transponders, allowing their positions to be constantly tracked.

"None of the six boats are being publicly identified though obviously we know which they all are,'' said Braitmayer.

"We have chosen two of the biggest ones, two medium ones and two of the smaller ones, so from that we should get a good idea of how the whole race is going.'' SAILING SLG