Expectations will be running high aboard Jonathan Baxter's Class C entry Pond Prowler during this year's Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race which gets underway today in Buzzard's Bay.

And for good reason as the seasoned Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) skipper will attempt to prove that his successful run in the previous Marion to Bermuda Race was by no means 'beginner's luck'.

The 50-year-old sailor was awarded the Corporation of Hamilton Trophy for the best performance by a local boat sailing in their first Marion to Bermuda Race two years ago.

And make no mistake about it, Baxter is confident his team have all the necessary ingredients for success. Pond Prowler is ranked fifth in Class C on handicap.

"Having finally figured out our mistakes the first time (2007), I think we can do a lot better this time around," Baxter said. "I think we have a really crack team this year."

The Bermudian sailor's debut in the Marion to Bermuda Race two years ago did not go without drama on the high seas.

Sailing in 55 knots of wind, Baxter's yacht went airborne after falling off a large wave, tearing away her navigational lights.

"We weren't expecting that," he smiled.

Joining Baxter aboard Pond Prowler this year are watch captains John Musson and Robert Mason, Chris Merritt, Stephen Benn and navigator Charles Dunstan who also serves on the Marion to Bermuda Race executive committee.

This year marks the first time Dunstan has navigated the 645-nautical mile race course from Buzzard's Bay, Marion to St. David's Lighthouse and he reckons he's more than up for the task that could prove all the more daunting with strong wind gusts now predicted in the Gulf Stream that could significantly impact the race.

"I have been keeping up to date on activity in the Gulf Steam and watching the weather trends. And so I have a general sense of what is going on and really now it's just all about the wind," Dunstan said.

Skipper Baxter agreed.

"We just want to find the wind and race hard – that's really what it's all about," he added.

Baxter and crew have gambled on racing without a spinnaker this year with Dunstan confident the ploy will pay dividends.

"Our boat is going to be a little different from others simply because we are not going to be flying a spinnaker," he said. "We get time advantage for that and essentially we get a benefit of ten seconds per mile for not using a spinnaker.

"If spinnakers don't come into play it could be a big advantage for us on handicap. So we will see how that works out.

"We are taking a gamble but the last couple of races have shown that it's a gamble worth taking."

Also flying the Island's banner this year are Jonathan Brewin's Class A entry, Big Bear, and Paul Hubbard's Class D entry, Bermuda Oyster.

Like compatriot Baxter, Hubbard will also have a point to prove having placed second in Class E in the previous Marion to Bermuda Race.

Yet rather than get caught up in all the pre-race hype, the affable Hubbard is taking matters all in his stride.

The 65-year-old sailor, who is senior partner of accounting firm Deloitte and Touché, pumped an estimated $50,000 upgrading his yacht earlier this year for the Marion to Bermuda Race.

Bermuda Oyster has been refitted with a new engine, generator, hot water tank and radar.

With high winds in the forecast, Hubbard is bracing himself for a potentially turbulent passage through the Gulf Stream.

"I looked at the weather forecast and it's going to be fairly heavy on the nose on the way down," he said. "It's going to be a rather uncomfortable ride but the boat is solid and has been around the world before I bought it. It's just the sort of boat to have in this weather and we have an excellent crew."

Having won the Cruiser Division in last year's Newport to Bermuda Race, there is added incentive for Hubbard in this year's Marion to Bermuda Race.

The RHADC skipper is also in contention for the SAIL Bermuda Ocean Cruising Yacht Trophy that is awarded for the best combined performance in consecutive Newport and Marion to Bermuda Races.

Accompanying Hubbard across the Atlantic is crew Craig Scott (navigator), Micheal Gladwin, David Mello, Jeff Roach and the husband and wife duo of John and Barbara Ashfield who will serve as watch captains.

Brewin, meanwhile, has emerged as a potential top contender in Class A where Big Bear is ranked second on handicap.

And the Bermudian skipper is optimistic he and crew (Peter Shrubb, Allan Williams, Mike Carey, Mark Henneburger and Somers Kempe) can put in a strong showing to make this year's Marion to Bermuda Race a memorable one.

"My expectation is to be one of the first boats there (Bermuda) if we can. I just want a safe, swift and fun trip," Brewin said.

A total of 48 boats in four different classes have registered for this year's Marion to Bermuda Race, including the all-women team aboard American skipper Maren Erskine's J42, Cayenne.

Bermudian boats did well in the previous Marion to Bermuda Race, with Preston Hutchings' Morgan's Ghost first across the line, Colin Couper's Babe laying claim to second place honours in Class B and Hubbard finishing runner up in Class E.