Relations between Comet sailors Stevie Dickinson and Rudy Bailey have soured just weeks ahead of this year's Annual Long Distance Race from St.George's to Somerset for the coveted Edward Cross Cup.

Tempers flared between the two men following this month's Flag Pole to Flag Pole race from Hamilton to St.George's with Dickinson alleged to have accused West End rival Bailey of gaining an unfair advantage by sailing in a lighter boat.

Dickinson, a 13-time Edward Cross Cup winner, also allegedly threatened to boycott next month's Long Distance Race unless Bailey's boat, Temptation, is properly weighed.

The East End Mini Yacht club stalwart declined to comment on the matter yesterday, or be drawn into a public argument with the outspoken Bailey, who has categoricaly denied his rival's claims.

Bailey remains adamant that his famed hull does in fact comply with regulations and countered Dickinson's claims by accusing the 1999 Pan Am Games silver medalists of having "sour grapes" over his recent loss to the West End skipper in the Flag Pole to Flag Pole Race.

"That rival of mine (Dickinson) is not very impressed by the fact he had what he thought was an insurmountable lead but was passed and beaten by the blue boat.

"He is still quite upset about that and has vowed to protest future races until my boat is weighed," Bailey argued.

"But my boat is legal; it weighs 261 pounds which is one pound over the minimum weight allowed.

"Stevie is just crying foul because I outsailed him in the Flag Pole to Flag Pole Race.

"Can you imagine such a thing? I kicked his butt and he wined and moaned like a spoilt brat in front of everyone after the race.

"I was very surprised and disappointed by his attitude, considering the calibre of sailor that he is.

"I just sailed smarter on that particular day and now he's crying sour grapes because he thinks nobody is supposed to sail past him and hold him off."

It is now understood that Comet Class president Gladwin Lambert has requested that all boats to be weighed prior to next month's Long Distance Race to ensure that there is a level playing field.

"Gladwin has brokered a deal in which all of the Comets will be re-weighed just to please young Stevie down there," Bailey added.

""But I don't have any problem with that because my boat is legal. I'm probably the only person that hasn't taken the lead out of their boat."

Bailey is the defending Edward Cross Cup champion.