German Maxi Morning Glory is set to challenge record holder Boomerang and California speedster Pyewacket in the racing division of the 2002 Newport Bermuda Race.

Records may fall during the 635-mile ocean racing classic because the maxis are now bigger and faster.

Maxi limits have been `speeded up' to include more of the big boats actually racing or wanting to race in events worldwide.

Only 12 more days remain until regular entries close for the biennial event. Applications for entry are due at race headquarters on or before April 1. They may be filed on-line at www.bermudarace.com or downloaded in PDF format.

As of March 18, 156 entry applications had been filed for the race that starts on June 14 in Newport, Rhode Island. Of these, 23 are Americap cruising, eight are Americap double-handed, nine are IMS racing and 116 are IMS Cruiser/Racer.

IMS yachts will sail in racing and cruiser/racer divisions while Americap yachts may enter the non-spinnaker cruising division.

The classic yachts division, the double-handed spinnaker division and the double-handed non-spinnaker division will also sail under the Americap rule.

The Newport Bermuda Race stands with the Fastnet, the Sydney-Hobart and the Transpac as one of the top four ocean races in the world.