This year?s centennial Newport-Bermuda Race is threatening to become the largest ocean race of all time.

The previous entry record for the race of 182, set in 1982 and again in 2002, has already been shattered with at least an additional 100 vessels set to take part in the biennial event this June.

So far 287 applications for entry have been received and the event looks to be well on its way to breaking the all-time record held by the 1979 Fastnet race that saw 303 boats take part.

The amateur-driven St. David?s Lighthouse Division, formerly called the Cruiser/Racers, leads the fleet with 146 applicants.

The Cruiser Division, an amateur racing division for boats designed and used more for offshore passage-making rather than racingis the second largest with 58 applicants.

Next is the Double-Handed Division with 22, followed by the professionally-crewed Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division, formerly the Racing Division, with 18. The cant keel Demonstration Division has four entries.

There are a further 39 applicants that have not yet designated the division they wish to enter.

Princess Anne is to be the guest of honour at the race prizegiving as organisers are pulling out all the stops to make the centennial race one to remember.