There is no "official" world championship of long-distance outrigger canoe paddling for women.

But Sunday's Na Wahine O Ke Kai should be as good as it gets.

For the first time in several years, all of the top teams from around the world are entered in Sunday's 41-mile race from Hale O Lono Harbor, Moloka'i, to Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki.

"The more people this race reaches, the more it truly becomes a world championship race," race director Hannie Anderson said. "And this year I'm really excited because we have the best from right here in Hawai'i, the best from Australia, the best from Tahiti, and the best from a lot of other places."

The race across the Kaiwi Channel is considered the world championship of long-distance canoe paddling for women, but some of the international teams are not able to enter every year due to financial restraints.

This year, a record 79 crews are registered for Sunday's race, and predicting a winner may be as difficult as predicting the conditions across the fickle channel.

At least seven teams are being mentioned as top contenders, and several others are considered dark-horse entries.

"This race is always up for grabs, every year," said John Puakea, coach of the two-time defending champion Team Bradley. "But there are so many good teams this year, it really is up in the air. We'll be happy to finish in the top three."

The top teams from Hawai'i include Team Bradley, Hui Lanakila, Waikiki Beachboys and Team Wahoo's.

Team Bradley won the race in 2005 and '06 with a mix of elite paddlers from O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i, the Big Island and Australia. Eight of the 10 paddlers from last year's championship crew are back.

"Before the season started, we talked about how hard it is to win three in a row and how much harder we had to work to get it," Puakea said. "To the credit of the girls, they have worked hard for it. But so has everybody else because it seems like they all got faster."

Hui Lanakila has finished runner-up the last two years, including an agonizing 16 seconds behind Team Bradley last year.

Waikiki Beachboys placed third last year. Last month, they won the 25-mile Dad Center Race — the first long-distance victory by a women's crew in club history.

"We feel like we have an equal shot with the other top teams," Waikiki Beachboys coach Sean Monahan said. "But we need to have a really good race ... a perfect race."

Team Wahoo's is a new entry put together for this year's Na Wahine O Ke Kai. The crew will feature a blend of elite paddlers from O'ahu, New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

Australia's top team — Mooloolaba — is back after a two-year hiatus. They dominated the Na Wahine O Ke Kai in 2003 and '04, setting a course record of 5 hours, 22 minutes, 12 seconds in '04.

Two teams from Tahiti are also entered: Venus Va'a and Te Hia O Te Va'a.

Venus Va'a is the top women's team in Tahiti, and they placed fourth in last year's Na Wahine O Ke Kai. Te Hia O Te Va'a is not expected to be in the lead pack, according to team member Moeata Galenon.

"We hope to do well, but we are not as strong as Venus Va'a," she said. "Venus will have their chances if it's flat."

However, swells are expected across the channel Sunday, and that could work to the benefit of the Hawai'i teams.

"It should be bumpy, and I hope that helps us," Team Bradley's Puakea said. "But that also means it'll be good for Hui Lanakila and the Beachboys and (Team Wahoo's). Australia may not be as good in the surf, but their speed and strength make up for it, so I don't know if it matters to them."

Another contender could be Waitakere Roc. They are considered elite paddlers in New Zealand, but this will be their first attempt as a team across the Kaiwi Channel.

"I think our goal this year is to get the experience in international racing and get in some exciting water," team member Bernie Murch said. "I don't want to say we can win it because there are too many good teams here."

Newport Aquatic Center and Lanakila — the top teams in California — could also be in the lead pack.

"There's always somebody you don't know about in this race," Beachboys coach Monahan said. "No matter who wins, it's going to be exciting this year because there seems to be a lot of good teams with a shot at it."

Dark-horse teams from Hawai'i include Outrigger, Namolokama O Hanalei, and Hui Nalu.

Kahiau/Hawaiian Kanaktion placed sixth overall last year and won the junior masters (40 and older) division for the third consecutive year. This year, the crew is moving to the senior masters (50 and older) division.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.