But the 163 yachts that made the final June 1 deadline represented the largest fleet since 1982, when 178 -- a record that still stands -- set sail on the biennial ocean crossing.

The preliminary list issued last month by the Cruising Club of America, which co-hosts the race with the Royal Bermuda Yacht club, totalled 188 boats and organisers were talking then of a possible record.

Even with the 25 boats dropping out, this year's race had 15 more than the 148 entries taking part in 1996.

That number was subsequently reduced to 161 when the gun sounded to start the race and three others withdrew after the first day's sailing.

Why the big increase from two years ago? "The stock market's doing well. Wall Street is happy,'' said Royal Bermuda Yacht Club commodore Bruce Lines.

But while a booming economy has resuled in plenty of hot new yachts and jovial skippers, much of the credit for the jump is due to the race committee, which has introduced -- and continues to introduce -- several innovations.

"We're competing with a lot of other pro regattas. We have to look more toward the future and become more professional,'' said race committee spokesman Talbot Wilson.

For starters, there was a more aggressive marketing campaign, with race notices being sent out to virtually every IMS skipper around the world. And in an effort to increase the race's profile, boats were required to radio in their positiions twice daily during the race to Rainbow , a motor vessel travelling with the fleet.

That information was promptly made available to the media as well as to the RBYC website, providing reliable, timely information for the first time.

"This is the last real ocean race out there and didn't require reports,'' said Wilson.

The more boats the merrier as far the Bermuda Department of Tourism is concerned.

The race is worth some $5 million to the Island economy. A survey after the 1996 race indicated the race indicated there were 2,200 more visitors to Bermuda for the race.