At least two Hawai'i clubs are seeking a historic victory in Sunday's 28th annual Na Wahine O Ke Kai outrigger-canoe race.

Hui Lanakila and Waikiki Beach Boys are considered legitimate contenders, but underdogs at the same time.

Neither Hui Lanakila nor Waikiki Beach Boys has ever won the Na Wahine O Ke Kai race. The two clubs are neighbors along the Ala Wai Canal.

The 41-mile race from Hale O Lono Harbor, Moloka'i, to Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, is considered the world championship of long-distance canoe paddling for women's teams.

"We're flattered to even be called an underdog for this race," Waikiki Beach Boys paddler Sue Brown said. "We're still a young club that's trying to work our way up."

Team Bradley/Coffees of Hawai'i is the defending champion and the favorite for Sunday's race. Team Bradley has won every long-distance race it has entered in the past two years.

Barring any dark horse international entries, the top Hawai'i teams are expected to be in the lead pack.

Mooloolaba of Australia paddled to convincing victories in 2003 and 2004 — including a course-record time of 5 hours, 22 minutes, 11 seconds, in 2004 — but has not returned since.

"Honestly, I'm kind of glad those (international) teams didn't come," Hui Lanakila coach Raven Aipa said. "It gives us a better chance."

There is one crew from Cronulla (Australia) and another from Tahiti entered in Sunday's race, but the Hawai'i coaches are not sure how strong those teams are.

In any case, Hui Lanakila has been the closest pursuer to Team Bradley the past two years. Hui Lanakila placed second in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai last year, and finished runner-up to Team Bradley in two long-distance races this season.

"There's a little frustration that comes with that," Hui Lanakila steerswoman Katie Slocumb said. "But I think it also gives us the confidence to know that we can be right up there with the best."

Eight of the 10 paddlers from last year's second-place Hui Lanakila crew are back this year.

Interestingly, two paddlers from the vaunted Mooloolaba crew of 2004 will paddle with Hui Lanakila's second crew on Sunday. One of the Mooloolaba paddlers here is former world solo champion Lisa Curry-Kenny.

"She told me that only two of them could make it this year, so they were looking to join any team," Aipa said. "It crossed my mind to put them in the first crew, but that's not my style. It wouldn't be fair to the girls who worked hard all year."

However, with the addition of the two Australians, Hui Lanakila's second crew could also be in the lead pack, according to Aipa.

Waikiki Beach Boys was near the lead pack in last year's Na Wahine O Ke Kai before fading late and finishing sixth.

"We weren't satisfied with that," Waikiki Beach Boys coach Sean Monahan said. "But we know what we're up against. Team Bradley is clearly the team to beat. We need to have almost a perfect race and hope they make some mistakes."

Part of the beauty of crossing the Kaiwi Channel in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai is the unpredictability of the outcome.

"Even if you know the competition, you don't know how people are going to perform in that channel and you don't know what the conditions are going to be like," Brown said. "It's just a different beast out there, and you hope to have a good, safe race."

Outrigger Canoe Club is also considered a contender for Sunday's race. Outrigger has placed in the top five of every Na Wahine O Ke Kai, including five victories.

Lanakila Canoe Club, which placed fifth last year, is the top entry from California.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.