Bermuda cruising yacht race at St. David's Lighthouse early today, four days after leaving Buzzard's Bay.

For the first time in two races that boat won't be Alphida , Kirk Cooper's boat which took first-to-finish honours in 1991 and 1993.

Columbine , the scratch boat in the fleet owned by Dick Leather of Colorado, is considered to be one of the favourites to win the Blue Water Sailing Club Board of Governors' trophy -- awarded to the first boat to cross the finish line.

Harbour radio confirmed last night that one of the Marion yachts should reach St. David's lighthouse by dawn.

There were 77 boats in six classes crossing the start line on Friday near Centreboard Shoals in Buzzard's Bay.

Two boats, however, Panama Red , a Benateau 42 in Class B, and Sea Note , a Gulfstar 44 in Class C, have withdrawn, lowering the fleet's total to 75.

Panama Red , skippered by Wilkinson Marvel of Swansea, Massachusetts, exited the race after the boat's boom broke, but the crew is still sailing to Bermuda to take part in race festivities. New Yorker John Kelly, captain of Sea Note , withdrew his boat after failing to correct head sail problems.

Five of the entries in the 645-mile race are from Bermuda -- Crewcut , skippered by David Marc Finnegan, in Class B; Starr Trail , with Bob Mulderig at the helm, and Vivace , captained by Colin Couper in Class C. Scheherazade , skippered by Leslie Swainson, and Paul Hubbard's Tonka are in Class D.