Preparations for the 2004 Newport Bermuda Race have been stepped up with the posting of the Notice of Race.

The prestigious race begins on June 18, but application for entry must be completed no later than April 1.

"The NOR is out later than usual," said race chairman John Winder.

"The Bermuda Race Organising Committee has been working with international technical committee members on safety standards for boats with new technology now allowed in IMS, namely water ballast and cant keels.

"We have added some appendices to the NOR to deal with special regulations to address the specific safety issues of these designs.

"Safety is a primary concern of the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, so we were willing to delay the release of our notice until we were comfortable with the regulations."

Next year, five divisions racing under IMS and AMERICAP II will compete for more than 90 prizes.

From the starting line in Newport Rhode Island, the course covers 635 challenging miles across the Gulf Stream and south in the Atlantic Ocean to the finish off St. David's Lighthouse in Bermuda.

Yachts between an 'L' of 27.5ft and an LOA of 98ft which are single-hulled sailing vessels with inboard auxiliary power and which will be manned by a captain and crew who have demonstrated and documented recent competency in offshore yacht racing or passages are invited to apply for entry in the Race.

The Newport Bermuda Race is an ocean racing classic first run in 1906 and stands as one of the world's premier sailing contests.

In recent years there has been growth in competitors in both the racing and non-spinnaker divisions as a broad array of amateurs and professionals compete for racings' most sought after trophies.

The Newport Bermuda Race is also part of the Onion Patch Series composed of the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta sailed in Newport, the Newport Bermuda Race and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Anniversary Regatta sailed in Bermuda.

The event website can be found at www.bermudarace.com.