Around 300 crews are expected to participate in the 37th annual Queen Lili'uokalani Long Distance Canoe Race this weekend at Kailua, Kona.

The two-day event is the largest long-distance race in the state, in terms of participation.

"A lot of it has to do with the atmosphere, and the fact that it's a holiday weekend," race director Mike Atwood said. "But we do things for the paddlers other than just the races. There's an international night for the visiting teams ... we have a torchlight parade ... after the final races, we have a big lu'au. It's basically a fun weekend."

This year's field will include almost every canoe club in the state, plus teams from California, Canada, Japan and Tahiti.

The main races are scheduled for tomorrow.

Women's crews will paddle an 18-mile course from Kailua Bay to Honaunau. The men's crews will then paddle from Honaunau to Kailua Bay.

The top crews will paddle the entire course "iron," meaning there will be six paddlers in the canoe with no relief changes.

Atwood said the weather is expected to be "hot and muggy," and the ocean will likely be calm, making for a grueling race. What's more, he said the Big Island vog is still lingering over the area.

"Hopefully that won't have too much of a negative effect," he said.

Top contenders in the women's race include defending Queen Lili'uokalani champion Hui Lanakila, three-time defending Na Wahine O Ke Kai champion Team Bradley, and the Waikiki Beach Boys.

Top contenders in the men's race include defending Queen Lili'uokalani champion Tui Tonga, Outrigger, Hui Lanakila, Kai 'Opua and Kailua.

Perennial power Lanikai Canoe Club is not expected to enter the men's race.

Interesting entries in this year's field include Pure Light Racing (a team of physically challenged paddlers), and Team Makapo (a team of blind paddlers.)

On Sunday, there will be 5-mile races for youth crews, 12-person canoes, one-person canoes (OC-1) and two-person canoes (OC-2).

The event is hosted by the Kai 'Opua Canoe Club, but Atwood said many other people from Kailua, Kona, are involved.

"It's not quite as big as the Ironman (triathlon world championship)," Atwood said. "But it certainly is a big thing for the community and the businesses in the area."

ABUBO, BARTELS KNOCKED OUT IN FRANCE

Hawai'i surfers Megan Abubo and Melanie Bartels were eliminated from the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle women's contest yesterday.

The first, second and third rounds were run yesterday in 3- to 4-foot waves at Les Bourdaines, France. Abubo lost in the second round; Bartels lost in the third round.

They were the only Hawai'i surfers in the contest.