Monday's annual West End Sailboat Club long distance comet race that starts from Dockyard.

But Stevie Dickinson in Kitty Hawk may have something to say about that.

Last year Bailey in Temptation beat favourite Dickinson into second place from St. George's to Somerset, and this time Bailey is more confident of winning as he believes that going in the other direction suits his style of racing.

"I consider it to be the easiest race, and I also consider myself to be the firm favourite after winning International Race Week convincingly this year,'' he said this week. Dickinson opted to race in the Snipes at Race Week.

"Going from Somerset to St. George's is always the easiest for me because it is a big, open course that is more suited to my drag racing style of sailing.

I am quite happy that we are going that way.'' His strongest challenger, Dickinson, may have other thoughts though, especially after the two were embroiled in controversy last year with Dickinson lodging a protest after a tacking incident with the champion.

The protest committee were to later throw out that protest.

Bailey, unhappy with the action taken by Dickinson, said at the time: "He is upset that he was beaten handily, he is just whining and moaning over the fact that he didn't have enough speed and his teamwork wasn't up to scratch.'' In addition to seeking revenge for that setback, an added incentive for Dickinson is to equal Alton Millett's record of 11 long distance race victories. Dickinson's 10th win was a long time ago -- 1995 -- the longest period for him between victories. Bailey's win last year was his sixth.

Bailey, who has been helped by the return of his crew Fred Bulford from the United States, is upbeat and welcomes all challengers.

"We have won it three years in a row, something that Stevie has never done, and we are very confident. I know Stevie is going after Alton's record but he is going to have to wait another year to get it,'' said Bailey.

"I beat him convincingly last year and I am on top of my game after doing well during International Race Week.'' Nobody else in the fleet of 20 boats is expected to give the duo much of a challenge, although West End Sailboat Club commodore Howard Simmons in My Mary has the ability to mount a challenge. Simmons finished sixth last year behind third placed Jamie Harvey, Byron McCallan and David Wall.