Veteran Colin Clarke this week quashed rumours the fleet will not be represented, pointing out that several international sailors have recently indicated their intention to come back for the event.

According to Clarke, a long-time Comet sailor, enthusiasm is running high and he anticipated the fleet this time will be close to the 12 that raced a year ago.

"We are ready and looking forward to sailing, in fact I think we will probably have around the same number of boats,'' said Clarke. "I have only recently received a call from four sailors abroad who have confirmed that they will be coming,'' he said.

Each class is required to have a minimum of four boats in order to compete.

In addition to Clarke, the local sailors expected to compete in the Comet class are Rudy Bailey, Gladwin Lambert and Howard Simmons.

Champion Stevie Dickinson and Malcolm Smith, however, two sailors who have appeared regularly in the popular Long Distance Race of the Comet class, still intend to compete but in other classes during Race Week.

Dickinson, who has been involved in the Snipes division during the last five Race Weeks, switches to Etchells while Smith will remain in the Snipes.

While the dilemma facing the Comets appears to have been resolved at this stage, one class certain to be absent again this year is the Luders 16.

In fact the future of Luders 16 for the entire domestic racing schedule this year is also in doubt.

Dan Bucker, a Luders 16 representative, regards the situation as being serious but is being closely monitored.

"I guess you can say the situation is at a rejuvenating stage right now, there certainly are not the numbers available to race during International Race Week,'' said Bucker.

The problems facing the class include sailors either retiring or moving on to other classes. Several new owners are still familiarising themselves with their boats and not yet quite ready to race competitively.

The class has also been affected by the departure of foreign sailors who were stationed at the Canadian and US Bases.

"We are required to have four boats at the line for Race Week, but we can only manage about two or three at this time and that just isn't enough,'' said Bucker.