Entry deadline for this year's Newport to Bermuda Race expired earlier this week.

A total of 214 boats have now been officially cleared to take part in the June event, with another ten applications still under consideration.

This year's fleet is the second largest in the 102-year history of the race and is surpassed only by the fleet of 263 that competed in the 2006 Centennial Race.

The 2008 fleet is more than 40 boats larger than the previous non-Centennial entry record.

According to race organisers, additional applicants for entry may still be considered at the discretion of the Bermuda Race Organising Committee.

The race gets underway on June 20.

For further details, skippers can contact Race Chairman Nick Nicholson at 1-772-584-1055.