will have no representation in the Onion Patch Series.

In 1990, Kirk Cooper's Alphida , Buddy Rego's Tsunami and Gold Digger skippered by non-resident Royal Bermuda Yacht Club member Jim Bishop, competed in the five-race series.

This year, with Eldon Trimingham's Escape and Nicholas Dill's Dillightful competing in the Cruising Division, Colin Couper's Vivace is the only Bermuda boat in the Racing Division.

With three racing boats needed to make up an Onion Patch team, the Onion Patch Trophy is certain to stay in American hands.

And with Couper concentrating on the Newport Race, the Henry B. duPont Trophy for the top individual yacht in the series will also remain across the water.

Collaboration took the duPont Trophy as overall series winner in 1990, with the Storm Trysail Club team of Collaboration , Brigadoon VI and Spirit taking the Onion Patch Trophy.

The Onion Patch Series gets underway on June 13 with the opening race in the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta. The second race takes place the following day, with other races lined up for June 15 and 16.

The final race in the series is the blue riband event -- the Newport-Bermuda Race -- which begins off Newport's Breton Tower on June 19.

ONION PATCH SUCCESS -- Collaboration, sailed by Oliver Grin, approaches the finish line in the 1990 Newport-Bermuda race. She was first in class B in that race, and first overall in the onion Patch Series.