Over the past ten years Gladwin Lambert has never placed lower than sixth in the Annual Long Distance Comet Race.

And when this year?s gun goes off in St. George?s Harbour on Monday, the West End Sail Boat Club stalwart and Comet Class Yacht Racing Association president hopes to hit the jackpot and claim a third Edward Cross Cup and first since 1990.

With a new jib and rigging, the return of Greg Proctor as crew and a few pointers from class heavyweights Rudy Bailey and Stevie Dickinson, Lambert could be on course to finally snap a 16-year drought.

?It?s been a long time and I have been trying and hoping I can pull another one off,? said the veteran skipper. ?I feel that I am peaking at a good time and every year I go out believing I can win this race at least one more time.

?I have won it twice and had a good season last year.?

Last year saw Lambert?s place second behind Bailey and then clinch overall fleet honours at the end of the season after claiming three wins, a third and nine seconds.

Lambert warmed up for Monday?s race with another consistent showing in last month?s Flag Pole to Flag Pole Race, finishing second behind Dickinson.

?I was leading Dickinson by quite a bit but ended up losing going down the North Shore,? Lambert said.

However, the West End skipper is determined not to make the same mistakes this time around.

?I know where I made my mistake,? he added. ?I had excellent boat speed but made one tactical error and ended up second overall although I felt should have won. But that?s all in sailing.?

Lambert?s maiden Edward Cross Cup win arrived in 1977 ? 32 years after his father, Canute, won the inaugural Long Distance Race in 1945.

The two remain the only father and son ever to win the cup.

?We?re sailing with confidence and the boat is going well and so hopefully I can put it all together on that day no matter who is out there,? Lambert added.

?Rudy and I made a few changes to the boat and I have received tutoring from Rudy and also Stevie (Dickinson) and sometimes I feel as though I am a mixed breed.

?I had some of the rigging on the boat changed and bought a brand new jib because that is something I think is very important.?

Meanwhile, race organisers confirmed yesterday that Monday?s race fleet would consists of 22 boats, among them arch rivals Bailey and Dickinson.

Two-time defending champion Bailey () is gunning for a second hat-trick and first since 1988 while Dickinson is bidding for a 14th overall victory in

Dickinson remains the youngest skipper ever to have won the prestigious regatta, having done so in 1976 as a 16-year-old onboard .

In 1986 and 1994 Bailey denied his East End Mini Yacht Club rival from winning three straight Long Distance titles.

Others expected to be among the hunt for top honours this year include Jamie Harvey, Scott Fox, 2001 champion Heath Foggo and Romano Ramirez.

Racing begins in St.George?s Harbour at 11 a.m. and finishes off the West End Sail Boat Club in the Great Sound.

Organisers have warned spectator boats to steer well clear of the start and finish lines and racing fleet as they make their way from St.George?s to Somerset up the North Shore.

Mid Atlantic Sail Boat Club skipper George Hayward has withdrawn from the race due to a back injury that will require medical attention. Sheridan Castle will now take his place sailing .