Comet class stalwart Rudy Bailey will attempt to achieve what no other West End skipper has been able to do in the past three years on Sunday — wrestle the annual Flag Pole to Flag Pole regatta from arch rival Stevie Dickinson.

The two class heavyweights will lock horns for the first time this season, with Dickinson gunning for a fourth straight win in the annual race and Bailey looking to add to the Mid Winter crown he captured earlier this month.

While Dickinson has yet to make an appearance in the class this year, Bailey has already savoured victory and will be hoping for his second win in as many outings.

“I will just stay close to the red boat (Dickinson) and when he makes a mistake hopefully I will be close enough to pass him,” Bailey said this week.

Weekend forecasts call for ideal ten to 15 knot breezes — conditions which Bailey’s hopes to work to his advantage.

“It’s going to be a perfect moderate breeze - downwind once you reach Hog Fish Beacon.

“So it basically means it’s going to be a drag race, and I prefer drag racing. Straight line speed is one of my trademarks,” he said.

Bailey, however, could find his work cut out for him as Dickinson is certain to put up another good fight in conditions he too favours while Gladwin Lambert and Scott Fox are also among the pre-race favourites.

To many, Sunday’s regatta is widely considered as a dress rehearsal for next month’s Long Distance Race — a jewel Bailey will attempt to reclaim after losing it to Dickinson last year when in search of a third straight win.

“I’m definitely looking forward to competing again,” the multiple Flag Pole winner added. “Sunday is just going to be another day of preparation before the big race (Long Distance).”