Comet king Stevie Dickinson has refused to be drawn into a public row with arch rival Rudy Bailey on the eve of Monday's Annual Long Distance Comet Race from St.George's to Somerset.

Earlier this week West End skipper Bailey demanded an apology from his East End rival who accused him of contravening regulations by sailing in a lighter boat in order to gain an unfair advantage.

Dickinson, however, has ignored Bailey's demands and has instead channelled his energy towards finding a way to strip his outspoken rival of the coveted Edward Cross Cup that has been competed for anually since 1945.

"I have nothing to say at all," said Dickinson, alluding to Bailey's recent comments. "Everything is ready to go; the boat is ready, I'm ready and the crew (Martin Finegan) is ready."

Dickinson is a 14-time Long Distance winner but in recent years has taken a back seat to Bailey who has won four of the last six races including last year's which finished on his East End rival's home turf in St.George's Harbour.

Dickinson, though, can take consolation in the fact that the last time the Long Distance Race ended in Somerset he claimed top honours to deny Bailey a hat trick of Edward Cross titles.

The late Alton Millett, Dickinson and Bailey are the only three skippers to win three Long Distance races on the trot, the latter being the last to do so in 1988.

With class president Gladwin Lambert showing signs of consistency, former Olympian Howard Lee seemingly enjoying a new lease on life with a new crew and brothers Jesse and Zander Kirkland now considered as serious contenders, Dickinson reckons anyone can win on Monday depending on race day conditions.

"If Jesse and Zander (Kirkland) can tune their boat in and get it sailing right they can possibly be a nuisance because these guys can sail," he added. "But I reckon my chances are just as good as anybody else's because I have been sailing pretty fast recently and hopefully on the day the conditions are ideal where I can focus on my tactics and boat speed."

As it stands, Monday's weather conditions are calling for 12 to 18 knots which could see skippers hiking their way up the North Shore on a beat.

The Long Distance Race always seems to bring out the best in Dickinson. And he has the statistics to back him up.

"Winning this particular race gives you bragging rights about who is the best sailor and it is a privilege to compete in this race in front of thousands of spectators," he said. "It's the big day, and it's always going to be the big day."

Spectator boats have been reminded to steer well clear of the race fleet that sets sail from St.George's Harbour (11 a.m.) in what will be the final Long Distance Race held on the Queen's Birthday Holiday which is to be scrapped next year.