With two Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race titles under his belt, veteran American sailor Ron Noonan knows a potential contender when he sees one.

And this year the 78-year-old retired Lexicon chief executive officer is backing Bermudian skipper Jonathan Brewin and crew aboard Big Bear to be thick in the hunt for top honours in the 645-nautical mile Marion to Bermuda Race which gets underway tomorrow in Buzzard's Bay.

"I think Big Bear may have a chance to be first to finish and should do well. I talked to Buddy Rego (watch captain) who tried to pick my brains about all the secrets to get out of Buzzard's Bay fast," Noonan said.

"I have raced against Buddy several times over the years and he's a good sailor and a smart racer while the crew on Big Bear are highly motivated and are thinking about all the right things in respect to the race".

Brewin's J-160 is ranked second in Class A and could mount a strong bid for top honours should weather conditions favour the 53-foot sloop's size and handicap.

But much of Big Bear's chances for success will hinge upon the shoulders of navigator Kieron O'Connell who has been presented with the daunting task of charting the quickest route to Bermuda through the temperamental Gulf Stream.

The Gulf Stream is a warm water current that flows from the straights of Florida up the East Coast of North America to the UK that is strewn with circling eddies that can either hasten or stall a boat's progress towards Bermuda.

"Hopefully we get it right and pick up the right eddies and currents and get in the right places at the right time," commented Irishman O'Connell.

"At the moment the weather is very unstable and could change in the next 48 hours. But it looks as though after the first 24 hours (of the race) it will be pretty windy."

Skipper Brewin is optimistic he and his fellow crew can put in a strong showing to make this year's Marion to Bermuda Race a memorable one.

He is also joined onboard by crew Peter Shrubb, Allan Williams, Mike Carey (engineer), Mark Henneburger and Somers Kempe (watch captain).

"All of us sail together back home and my expectations is to be one of the first boats there (Bermuda) if we can. I just want a safe, swift and fun trip," Brewin said. Brewin and crew spent yesterday afternoon testing new sails and conducting various safety drills at sea.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) skipper is making his seventh appearance in the Marion to Bermuda Race and first in Big Bear which he purchased in nearby Rhode Island just over a year ago.

Like many skippers here, the Beverly Yacht Club and warm and friendly citizens of Marion hold a very special place in Brewin's heart.

"I think Beverly Yacht Club (co-hosts for the biennial race) is a wonderful place and Marion pretty special," he added.