George's to Somerset will see defending champion Rudy Bailey attempting to record victory number five in the event.

Last year with Sinclair Simons as crew for the first time, Bailey beat the fleet home from Somerset to St. George's in his boat Temptation in 2:16:27 to win the Edward Cross Trophy. Now the duo will line up in St. George's Harbour on Monday in hopes of duplicating that performance.

This year's fleet will be slightly smaller than a year ago with 25 expected at the start.

Among the regulars favoured to challenge Bailey are former champion Stevie Dickinson ( Kitty Hawk ) who was second last year, Gladwin Lambert ( Melody ), Howard Simmons ( My New Mary ) and David Wall ( Tango ).