Heath Foggo has something that perennial arch rivals Rudy Bailey and Stevie Dickinson desperately want - the coveted Long Distance Comet crown.

With sailors from the East End Mini Yacht Club and the West End Sailboat Club set to do battle in Monday's offshore race, 12-time champion Stevie Dickinson is determined to regain the title.

Last year Dickinson tutored Foggo to his maiden triumph onboard Split Decision. However, this time around the teacher will be pitted against his pupil who has sailed consistently since last year's victory.

Dickinson will be accompanied by Tai Trott, set to make her debut on the 18-mile course.

"I've only competed against Rudy (Bailey) once this year, but I think that everyone poses a challenge on the day," said Dickinson who sails in Kitty Hawk, once owned by the legendary Alton Millett.

"I look out for everybody, not just one boat in particular, because everyone is sailing so well at the moment and they are also sailing pretty smart - especially some of the guys from St.George's (East End Mini Yacht Club).

Dickinson noted that he's been putting in some training in preparation for Monday's race.

"I have been practising a bit more to get Tai (Trott) accustomed to the boat as this will be her first long distance race. Presently I am just trying to make sure she is in good physical condition and refining her technique when it comes to jibbing."

Professing that he enjoys sailing on the edge, the veteran added that he excelled on the "white water".

"I don't mind what conditions we sail in as long as it is a very competitive race, then I will be very happy.

"If the wind stays out in the north or north-east or even touches around to the south-east or even a little south at 15 to 20 knots, then we are going to get there awfully fast.

"I like sailing on the edge."

Meanwhile, a confident Bailey is on a mission and claims that last year's champion Foggo will not be a factor next Monday.

"The battle is going to be between a red boat (Kitty Hawk) and a blue boat (Temptation)," exclaimed Bailey, himself a six-time champion.

"My preparation started last year after I gave the race away."

Last year Bailey overtook initial leader Byron McCallan and opened up a sizeable lead himself. However, instead of trying to just stay in front, the veteran pressed for a "big lead" and took a disastrous gamble that eventually saw the remainder of the fleet catch him up.

"It was a costly mistake and now I have to make up for it this year," he said.

After winning the International Comet Championship in Shrewsbury, New Jersey last August and then retaining his title during this year's International Race Week, Bailey says that he wants to reverse his fortunes of the past few long distance races.

And just as his rival, Dickinson, will compete with a female crew member, Bailey is set to sail with his 16-year-old daughter, Danielle, who last crewed for him during the 1998 long distance race in which the pair secured a second place finish.

Others expected to pose a challenge for top honours include former West End sailboat commodore Gladwin Lambert (Melody), Howard Simmons (My New Mary), Howard Lee (High Yella), Ramano Ramirez's (Hot Tamali), McCallan (Shogun) and Colin Clarke (Nimph).

Defending champion Foggo (Split Decision) is currently off the Island and is not expected back until the weekend, but Dickinson noted that his former crew-mate was in good stead. Foggo placed second behind Bailey during this year's International Race Week.

Monday's race begins in St. George's Harbour (Ordnance Island) and finishes just off the West End Sailboat club in the Great Sound.

Action gets underway at 11 a.m.