Benn Smith will attempt to join an elite group when he puts his title on the line in the Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race on Monday.

Victory would put the Mid Atlantic Boat Club sailor alongside class legends such as Alton Millett, Stevie Dickinson and Rudy Bailey to have won the prestigious regatta on three or more occasions competing again in the double-handed Comet dinghy with his cousin Christian Ebbin as crew.

The pair led from start to finish on the way to securing their second win in the event last year and helmsman Smith is relishing the challenge of defending his title.

“It’s exciting to be able to defend the title with Christian. I think we have a good shot at defending it looking at the forecast,” Smith told The Royal Gazette. “It’s going to be 15 knots of wind so pretty perfect conditions.

“Christian and I haven’t been able to get in much Comet practice as our schedules have been pretty hectic with him coming off of a busy college sailing schedule but am happy he is able to sail with me.”

This year sees the racing fleet set sail from West End Sail Boat Club in the Great Sound and finish at hosts East End Mini Yacht Club in St George’s Harbour.

“I have no real preference of sailing either way but I do enjoy having to create a strategy exiting the Town Cut right after the start,” Smith said. “With a west end start it is clear sailing and a boat speed race up until the Town Cut, where it gets pretty swirly and shifty.”

Smith has his work cut out competing against the likes of past winners Bailey, Gladwin Lambert, Dale Brangman, Maxwell Curtis and American Jack Swikart, who has returned to the island to participate in the race.

“There’s some good competition within the fleet with many regulars on the Comet circuit competing,” Smith said.

Following last year’s triumph Ebbin contemplated competing against Smith in the race as a helmsman in his own right but has since had a change of heart.

“I’m always open to him getting a boat to be able to compete against me and everyone else as it would definitely do great things for the fleet, but very happy he is sailing with me nonetheless,” Smith said.

The race begins at 11am.