Defending champion Blythe Walker is looking forward to some exciting racing during the Bermuda Keelboat Regatta that begins in the Great Sound today.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club sailor is again expected to be thick in the hunt for honours competing in the International One Design class.

“No expectations, just going out to enjoy some good racing,” Walker told The Royal Gazette.

“Looks like the breeze is up so it will provide plenty of action and stretch our team, some of whom are new to the IOD’s.”

The experienced sailor captured class honours on a tie-break after finishing tied with rival helmsman Bill McNiven at last year’s event.

Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club sailor Bill McNiven is also competing again this year and will be keen to go one better this time around and dethrone Walker as champion.

Also among the fleet is national IOD champion, Joshua Greenslade, who is fresh off competing in the Bermuda Gold Cup, while missing is RBYC commodore Craig Davis who finished third last year.

Gibson Island Yacht Club helmsman, Courtenay Jenkins, who has considerable experience racing in the IOD in Bermuda’s waters, is among four teams representing the United States in this year’s regatta which runs until Sunday.

The IOD’s are the only class being represented as the J105 fleet are not involved this time around.

Spanish Point Boat Club helmsman Keith Chiappa captured the J105 title last year with the RHADC’s Trevor Boyce and the team representing Sandys Boat Club and RHADC, led by multiple regatta winner and former Olympian Peter Bromby, taking second and third to round off the podium.

Light breeze plagued last year’s event, with organisers completing just enough races to constitute a series in the two classes represented.