Hopes are high that the Antigua to Bermuda sailing race, which gets under way this Friday, is destined to flourish into an annual fixture.

For young watch leaders Dkembe Outerbridge-Dill, Patrick Perret and Lamar Samuels on board the Spirit of Bermuda, the hope is also for “glory”, Dkembe told Yachts and Yachting.

“We are racing to win, and coming home to Bermuda, having sailed thousand of miles since we left, will be glorious,” he added.

The Spirit is in fine form this week after taking part in April’s Antigua Vintage Yacht Regatta.

But with the America’s Cup excitement building, its crew will be itching all the more to get home for their second time since the inaugural race last year.

There were 22 entries as of yesterday, promising an impressive sight when the ships set off for the 1,000 mile race.

The Spirit, which is based on a classic Bermuda sloop, has taken more than 4,000 of the island’s teens out sailing since its launch in 2006.