Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race.

For the first time in the 22-year history of the biennial race organisers have split competitors into two classes -- celestial and electronic navigation.

The indications are that many veterans of the race are sticking with old-style celestial navigation, while the majority of newcomers are going for the electronic mode.

The race starts in Marion, Massachusetts on June 18 and 108 boats have already signed up, 57 in the celestial class, 51 in the electronic.

Five of the boats are Bermuda-based, four are Navy boats, one from Montana, one from Canada and the rest from New England and the eastern seaboard.

In the 1997 race, celestial navigators were given a three-percent time bonus against those using electronic aids for the whole race distance, but this time there will be two separate divisions.

Bermudian skipper Warren Brown will compete on his yacht War Baby and he was not tempted to enter the electronic class.

"The main advantage of using electronic navigation is that you know exactly where you are all the time and you know when you should get out of the current,'' said veteran Brown.

"Even then, if you're not experienced, it probably wouldn't help you much. It will only be a help to those who are already skilled navigators.

"But I have sailed on the Gulf Stream so many times, it probably wouldn't make much difference to me.'' In his long sailing career, Brown has sailed the Marion-to-Bermuda race only once before, in 1989, when he broke the long course record with a time of 72-and-a-half hours.

And he said he enjoyed the unique, friendly nature of the race, free of a ruthless competitive edge.

"It is quite a different atmosphere. The reception you get at Marion is warmer and more welcoming than Newport, for example, and I think most sailors would agree with that,'' added Brown.

"My boat is heavy by today's standards and we hope to get windward work. I wouldn't say we're hoping for heavy weather -- I don't think anyone enjoys sailing in that -- more like mixed and medium weather.''