In 1986, Rudy Bailey won his first Edward Cross Cup and denied perennial rival Stevie Dickinson a first hat-trick of Long Distance Comet Race titles in the process.

Then in 1994, Bailey again prevented Dickinson from clinching a third straight Edward Cross Cup.

However, 12 years later the roles have been reversed and the shoe placed on the other foot as Dickinson attempts to thwart Bailey?s bid for what would be a second hat trick of Long Distance titles in 18 years next Monday during the 61st edition of the annual sailing spectacle.

The West End Sail Boat Club stalwart first achieved what rival Dickinson has yet to achieve in 1988 sailing onboard

?I know Stevie is going to do everything he can to try and stop me because he has never got a hat trick before,? said two-time defending champion Bailey.

?And this would be my second and something that he is very well aware of that every time he has tried to win it (treble) I have stopped him.

?Every time he tries I tell everyone ?as long as I am sailing he will not get a hat trick?. But now it?s his opportunity to try and stop me from getting a second hat trick.

?And so he will be very close and I guess the spectators will think this is an America?s Cup Race and I can already see him trying to shadow me everywhere I go.?

Over the decades Bailey and Dickinson have acted out one of the longest and fiercest rivalries on the high seas stretching back to the days when both began racing in Optimists.

Dickinson?s holds the record for the most Long Distance wins (13) while a win for Bailey next Monday on the Queen?s Birthday Holiday would see the Somerset skipper move to within a single victory of tying Alton Millett (11) for the second most wins.

The late Millett is the sole skipper ever to win four straight Edward Cross Cups between 1960 and 1963.

As for pre-race preparations, Bailey said: ?History is at stake but it?s is just mental preparation because the boat itself is ready and there is nothing I can do to make it go any faster.?

Bailey has only had two opportunities to test the waters in the Great Sound. But based on those experiences the veteran skipper is satisfied with his performances.

?We had some warm ups with Gladwin (Lambert) and I think overall we are ready to go,? he added. ?Quite a few people have actually encouraged me to go out there and complete the hat trick. So I?m hoping to try and get my second one (hat trick) which would be another achievement nobody can ever take away.?

When asked which direction (east or west) does he prefer to sail, surprisingly Bailey replied: ?I honestly prefer racing from Somerset to St.George?s because I have had many bad experiences trying to get out of St.George?s Harbour with all of the spectator boats and some of the East End participants.

?And so I am not comfortable about having to go for my hat trick coming the East End. But anyway you look at it I have to do it and I am ready.?

Bailey did not compete in this year?s Flag Pole to Flag Pole Regatta which saw Dickinson win for the third straight year.

?My daughter (Danielle) was not available,? Bailey explained.

And while Bailey will certainly have to keep an eye out for Dickinson during the course of Monday?s race, he will also have to keep tabs on the likes of Lambert, James Perry and Scott Fox.

?I personally think Gladwin is sailing as fast as I am,? Bailey said. ?His boat is just as fast as mine but it?s just a matter of him being 100 percent prepared on that day.?

As for Fox, who let the race slip from his fingers near the finish line last year, Bailey commented: ?I don?t think Scott has the all round package yet. He can sail very well upwind . . . but if it?s (race) not upwind then I don?t expect Scott to be there.?