Rudy Bailey is battling against time to secure a boat and prevent Stevie Dickinson from running away with a 20th — and fifth straight — victory in the Monday’s Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race from Dockyard to St George’s.

Bailey, an eleven-times winner himself, has not raced in the last four years, including the last two because of severe boat damage done by Hurricane Fay in October 2014. In that time Dickinson has stretched his lead in wins to 19 and will be looking to celebrate a twentieth in front of his home club, East End Mini Yacht Club, sometime on Monday afternoon.

Bailey conceded that his boat Temptation is still not up to racing condition, but he had given himself until late yesterday to secure a replacement and return to the race which is in its 73rd year.

“Today is my final day of whether I am or aren’t,” Bailey said yesterday. “My boat’s not ready but if I can get a suitable replacement boat then I’ll race. I’m planning on racing, yes, but I’ll know for certain at the end of the day.

“It got severe damage from the hurricane and my life’s just been too busy so I haven’t had a chance to complete all the repairs. It didn’t get completely destroyed but there is a heck of a lot of work that has to be done to bring it up to scratch.

“Life is a little busy with all the other stuff going on. I’m trying to get somebody else’s boat and if I do I’ll be racing.”

Dickinson and Bailey have dominated the races over the years, with 30 wins between them. If Bailey is missing out again, Dickinson will start as the overwhelming favourite.

“I’m definitely missing it,” Bailey admitted. “I’ve got that feeling if I don’t show up that Stevie will continue winning. I’m probably the only one who can stop him.”