The team that stays together and strives together ultimately wins together.

That?s the doctrine that veteran Comet class skipper Gladwin Lambert and his crew of 14 years, Gregg Proctor, believe has brought them so much success over the years.

The long-time Sandys parish residents have been friends for as long as they can remember and were at one time employed together at the former Lantana guest cottages on Scaur Hill. It was a special relationship that eventually spilled over into the sea and into one of the most formidable partnerships in local Comet racing.

Together, Lambert and Proctor have won every major title there is to win. And the desire to succeed still runs strong through their sea-hardened veins.

?I am really fortunate to have a crew like Gregg . We have been mates for many years and we also previously worked together for many years,? said Lambert, also regional vice-president of Comet Class Yacht Racing Association in Bermuda.

?Gregg has been sailing with me now for about 14 years and we have won everything there is to win here in Bermuda. I feel that we have good team work and harmony in the boat. And I think this is what has played a big part in our successes over the years.?

Lambert has enjoyed a ?consistent? start to the new season, finishing second in the Edward Cross Long Distance Race ? the 19th consecutive time he has placed in the top six ? and two weeks? ago placing runner-up in St.George?s Harbour against the best Comet skippers from the East End.

?I did some adjustments which I think have helped with the boat?s overall performance. The boat is sailing along quite well and maybe I am thinking a bit more tactical these days,? Lambert reasoned.

The veteran has also picked up valuable pointers from class heavyweights Stevie Dickinson and Rudy Bailey.

?Both of them have shared ideas on racing with me and it is also important to retain as much knowledge as you possibly can,? Lambert added. ?But overall I think all of the skippers have been sharing ideas with each other and then putting their own packages together from there.?

Lambert is a two-time Cross Long Distance champion, having won the regatta for the first time in 1977 and again in 1990. Lambert?s father, Canute, was the inaugural winner in 1945.

Looking ahead to the remainder of the season, Lambert said: ?My goal is to continue sailing consistently, try to remain among the big boys and constantly tap away at the door. I just want to sail the best that I possibly can and hopefully my ability will bring me through.

?The fleet is very competitive now. There are other skippers other than Rudy and Stevie that are really sailing well. The fleet has certainly grown in terms of competitiveness and it is a nice feeling to be able to finish in the top three every week if you can.?

Lambert was not accompanied by Proctor during last month?s Long Distance sail to St.George?s. Instead he was joined by son Lorenzo onboard while Proctor accompanied Charles Gibson in

?Gladwin informed me at the beginning of the season that it was a possibility his son would be here for the race. They hadn?t sailed together for over ten years and so he asked me would I step aside for the race so he could sail with his son. And I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for a father and son to sail together. I was all for it,? Proctor told

Recalling the earlier years, Proctor commented: ?I was working at Lantana in the late 1970s and I was interested in sailing but had no experience. So through working with Gladwin he persuaded me to join the Comet Class and learn how to sail and also crew.?

Proctor eventually purchased his own boat () in the early ?80s. However, fate would deal a crushing blow as the boat was badly damaged in a fire at the West End Sail Boat Club.

?Being that my boat was damaged and the both of us worked at Lantana we sort of paired up together,? Proctor continued. ?We sort of became known as the ?Lantana Duo? and we have been sailing together ever since then.?

Proctor and Lambert savoured Edward Cross Cup glory in 1990.

?Rudy Bailey was leading the race at the time and we managed to sail down on top of him with better speed, on a better angle heading to the finish line without ever having to alter our course,? Proctor recalled.