Top sailors from Bermuda and the US will again be on the starting line off Massachusetts next month when nearly 90 yachts set out on the 645-mile biennial Marion to Bermuda Race.

Now in its 30th year, this will be the 16th running of a race that maintains its roots in traditional sailing methods while encouraging grand prix competitors seeking victory.

The race formerly used celestial navigation only and was at its core an event for family cruisers. But organisers have added an IRC class this year that will open the race to a much broader spectrum of boats including a multi-hull division.

“First and foremost we are a cruising yacht race,” said Graham Quinn, executive director of the race. “Our goal is to maintain the integrity and tradition of a cruising race while offering a choice of handicap systems that will encourage more participants.”

Like many yachting traditions, this race began as a friendly competition between two international friends when, in 1975, American W. David Kingery shared an idea with Bermudian Dickie Bird of the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club to start a family-friendly race.

The idea took root between the Beverly Yacht Club of Marion, Massachusetts, the Blue Water Sailing Club of Boston and the RHADC in 1977.

“The comradeship and the satisfaction of completing this challenging crossing is the common motivator for many of us who race,” said Jonathan Baxter, owner of the S/V C&C39 Pond Prowler.

“This race allows us to represent our club (RHADC) and to support the intent of the race and its tradition.”

The most challenging and appealing factor in the Marion to Bermuda Race is the crossing of the Gulf Stream which by its very nature puts this event into the category of the world’s toughest yacht races.

The ORR (Offshore Racing Rule) division is the largest on the east coast and with the addition of the IRC division, Baxter believes “this race will be more competitive with the increased entries. With the weather patterns predicted for this time of year, the emphasis will be on navigating the Gulf Stream.”

The race is highly competitive yet remains unique because the event has preserved the celestial navigation division — one that relies on a hand-held sextant, a compass and the stars to steer by and is meant to be the true test of a blue-water sailor.

“While weather routers can all give you great advice and Gulf Stream specialists can tell you where to cross for the speediest passage, you never really know what the Gulf Stream will throw at you on any given day,” said Debbie Hume, an Intensive Care Unit nurse at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and crew member aboard the 62-foot Little Harbor design Wanderer,owned by Bermudian Witt Barlow.

“On some passages it’s like a calm oil slick out there, while on others it feels as though you are an ant that has been tossed into an angry washing machine.”

Barlow and his crew include Hume, Steve Frischmann as navigator and Andrew Spence who is a physician and the ICU director at King Edward Hospital and while many on board are seasoned sailors, this will be Wanderer’ maiden voyage.

“We are entered into the celestial navigation division, so we will be navigating the old fashioned way — with a sextant,” said Hume who is a veteran of this race.

“The biggest challenges we face will include having the right boat for the conditions, not breaking things and keeping up the motivation and energy to race all the way.”

First boats in the fleet are expected to begin arriving in Bermuda on Tuesday, June 19 with a prize-giving ceremony set for Saturday, June 23 at Government House. The event is sponsored in part by the Department of Tourism.