than a fifth on 1997 with more than 100 boats already signed up.

And organisers expect even more entries to come in before the May 15 deadline.

This year for the first time the fleet will be divided into two classes based on the type of navigation used -- celestial and electronic.

Bermuda will send a strong contingent for the race starting on June 18 including Buddy Rego, Paul Hubbard, David Roblin and Warren Brown.