sailors are still being sought to team up with a prominent group of Bermudians who will charter the Jalapenos Dos for the prestigious event.

It will mark the first time that an all-Bermuda crew will team up to compete in both the Onion Patch Series and Newport to Bermuda Race.

Last month is was revealed that an elite group of Bermudian skippers are pursuing the endeavour, led by prominent veteran skipper and former Royal Bermuda Yacht Club commodore Jordy Walker.

Walker yesterday said that the venture is close to becoming a reality.

"The overall position is that the yacht is confirmed, the charter fee has been paid for and we have acquired the services of a navigator who has considerable experience after having competed in 15 Newport to Bermuda Races,'' said an upbeat Walker yesterday.

But there is also a need for more sailors to be added to the 17 who have so far expressed a willingness to sail on the One Design Class 44-foot yacht.

Walker remains optimistic he will get the additional sailors.

"We have a total of 17 people who have signed up and we can use a few more,'' he said. "If there are some who are interested in joining the programme we will be happy to hear from them. We still have feelers out.'' He added: "There are a few people we have in mind who have not committed themselves and are still sitting on the fence. They have got to wait and see if their bosses will let them off and a few are struggling with their holiday leave.'' The extra sailors are not necessarily required for the two early Onion Patch Series races in Newport on June 9 and 10 or the long jaunt to Bermuda, but for the return to Newport on July 17 and the five races scheduled for Rhode Island.

In addition to having capable skippers like Craig Davis, Martin Siese, Hugh Watlington, Guy Eldridge and Blythe Walker aboard, the Jalapenos Dos will boast the services of two other well-known sailors, Glenn Astwood and Peter Terceira.

The duo have been selected as watch captains for the Newport to Bermuda Race, both of whom have had experience from several crossings between the US and Bermuda in Marion to Bermuda races.

Said Walker: "We are going to pick up the boat at Jamestown, Rhode Island, on June 5 and will be manning the boat on June 9, starting our practice there prior to the weekend series racing. That's going to be the Spring Series for the New York Yacht Club, which is two races for the Onion Patch Series.'' He added: "We start the Newport to Bermuda Race on Friday, June 17 and we expect to arrive in Bermuda on Tuesday, June 21 or before, if we get a quick passage. And then we will be doing the two races in Bermuda on June 24 to complete the Onion Patch Series,'' he added.

When the Jalapenos Dos returns to Newport, the Bermuda sailors will then compete in the week-long New York Yacht Club's 150th Anniversary Regatta in Newport.

Walker is particularly happy about being able to get the services of navigator Merle Hallet, a non-Bermudian, but who has sailed in the J44 fleet the last five years.