already some 15 skippers have expressed interest with dozens more expected to follow.

The event, in honour of the 200th anniversary of the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, will begin from Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua on May 10 next year.

It has been timed to immediately follow Antigua Race Week in an effort to attract many of the charter boats and private yachts that traditionally leave Antigua in the first weeks of May to head back to North America for the summer.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club have agreed to take turns in helping to organise the event, with RBYC in charge of the inaugural race.

The West End Development Corporation (Wedco) will also be heavily involved, staging the welcoming arrangements as the yachts arrive in Bermuda.

RBYC commodore Brian Billings, RHADC commodore Buddy Rego and Wedco director Colin Pearman will travel to Antigua soon to finalise details of the event.

A race spokesman said yesterday a fleet of 10 British yachts that will be in Antigua in early May want to take part, while local sailors Kirk Cooper, John Leseur and Charles Kempe are also expected to compete.

"Interest is running very high,'' added the spokesman. "We believe this is going to be an exciting addition to the ocean racing calendar.''