The 82nd Edward Cross Long Distance Race will be an emotional one for brothers Zane and Zanikae Hendrickson.

This year marks the first time they will be competing in the prestigious race without late sibling and Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club commodore Zaniko, who passed away last December at age 35.

Both served as crew on and off for their late brother on his one-design Comet class dinghy, with former North Village goalkeeper Zane having done so for the past six years competing on island and also in New Jersey and Maryland.

“It’s going to be very difficult for me at the beginning and I might have a tear because I am just so used to doing the race with him over the years,” Zane told The Royal Gazette.

“It will be a touching feeling, but I know how he is. He would want me to carry on and keep our family sailing legacy that has been passed on from generations.

“I hope to win the race for Zaniko. That’s my intention and incentive.”

Zanikae is also doing his part upholding the family sailing legacy and is determined to make his late sibling proud.

“I’m still going to try and at least put an effort in; hope for the best result and try and make him proud,” he said.

“It definitely feels different this time around normally getting prepared with my brother and talking about how we’re going to compete against each other. Normally I tell him how I am going to beat him.”

Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club sailor Zane is racing against his club for the first time in the race as crew for West End Sail Boat Club rival Quinton Simmons.

“This is my first time competing with another club in the race,” the 42-year-old said.

“We have been sailing together since the beginning of the season and he has been a wonderful teacher.

“I’m crewing right now because my boat is about to get worked on. Also my club only has two boats entered in this year and they have their crew already.”

Zanikae is again representing Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club as crew for skipper Anthony Smith and is looking forward to competing against his older brother in the upcoming race.

“We’ll try and keep it competitive between us but have some fun also,” the 24-year-old said.

“This is his first time sailing for another different boat club, while Anthony and I have sailed together a good bit of times before.”

Smith is the son of Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club commodore George Hayward, another former North Village goalkeeper, who is looking to continue on the work his late predecessor started.

“Zaniko left a lot for us to do,” he said.

“I was helping Zaniko while he was commodore, so it was a kind of natural fit for me to just jump right in and work with the club and executives to maintain what he had started.

“The club is looking to rebuild to bring it up to standards and build up the sailing programme as well.”

Meanwhile, back to defend the coveted Edward Cross Cup again this year are three-times champions Benn Smith and cousin crew Christian Ebbin, who believes the weather forecast will work to the pair’s advantage.

“The forecast is looking like it’s beneficial to us being younger sailors and heavier probably in the boat,” the 21-year-old said.

“The race is always fun and one of the bigger events to do actually in Bermuda.

“It’s a good historical race, considering it’s been held since 1944, and it’s really cool to part of that history.”

Monday’s race starts at 11am.