Stevie Dickinson in Kitty Hawk yesterday equalled Alton Millett's record of 11 West End Sail Boat Club long distance comet race victories -- and he did so convincingly from Dockyard to St. George's.

While light winds, ranging from six to 10 knots, saw Dickinson finish in the comparatively slow time of three hours and 54 seconds, the new champion still had the satisfaction of beating last year's winner Rudy Bailey, who finished third in Temptation . Gladwin Lambert was second in Melody . Bailey, upbeat going into the race, had boasted before the weekend that Dickinson would have to wait another year to equal the record as he (Bailey) was the "firm favourite''. But the new champion made him eat those words.

"He certainly got a good bath out there today,'' chuckled Dickinson as supporters surrounded him, shouting "where's Rudy Bailey?'' While other competitors gathered near the East End Mini Yacht Club, Bailey was seen sailing away.

Bailey noted before the race he had beaten Dickinson "convincingly'' last year "and I feel that I am ready for anybody this year.'' But his hopes were quickly dented when he was forced to re-start the race after his bow went over the start line early.

Dickinson and Bailey were embroiled in controversy last year with the former lodging a protest after an alleged tacking incident. The protest was later dismissed.

Bailey, however, did show his sailing skill and speed yesterday as he recovered from the restart to make significant ground near the end ... and Dickinson was among those who gave him credit for his recovery.

However, Dickinson and Lambert always appeared in control -- Lambert beating the defending champion by a minute and Dickinson by a comfortable four minutes.

"The race was a little slow because the wind was light, but it was a good day for us all. It was a little jumbled up there at the start, but I happened to get across the line quite well,'' said Dickinson.

"It was a tight race for a while with myself and Byron McCallan going backward and forward in front, but there were no real problems.'' The new champion said he saw Bailey at the start but not along the route.

And Dickinson, who last won in 1995, didn't think much of Bailey's pre-race remarks and didn't pull any punches as he celebrated his win.

"For him to boast himself up like he did, by making all of those predictions tells me a lot. He has no respect for the other sailors that were out there,'' said Dickinson.

"He thinks he is the best thing since humpty dumpty potato chips, but he doesn't realise that they are my favourite. I ate him good, every crumb. "He poked his bow over the line and had to go back so he had to really get lucky to get back into this race. He did darn well to get into third place, but he caught most of those people in the channel. "He sailed well, I'll give him credit for that. But he did not beat me. It's only his opinion that it was easier for him sailing to the east. He has taken a lot of licks in his day, from me and others, and I have taken some from him, but he is always going to remember me.'' Dickinson said he felt privilegd to have equalled the record of somebody he had long known and admired.

"Yes, I do feel honoured. I am sailing Mr. Millett's boat and he is one of the finest comet sailors around. To tie his record is unbelievable'', he said.

Second placed Lambert said it had been a race that had tested the skills of the sailors, forcing them to think under the conditions.

One positive sign, he noted, was the many spectator boats which appeared to understand racing more these days by not allowing their swells to interfere with the comets. "With them helping out it makes the entire race a big success,'' said Lambert. He agreed he had had to work hard after Dickinson and McCallan got off to good starts.

"I saw them in front by some distance for the longest while and I had to concentrate so much because of the light wind. But Stevie got out of reach just off the Oil Docks and crept away, leaving David Wall ( Silent Rage ) and McCallan to battle for second. But when we came around Fort St. Catherine my boat was in third place, and then as we got close to the St. George's Cut we had gained second.

"Rudy Bailey recovered well after his early problems. I saw him some distance behind between Oil Docks and Fort St. Catherine, and I saw him coming fast when I reached St. George's Cut. He was then about 50 yards behind me, so he did gain a lot of ground. But I was fortunate to hang on.'' CHAMPIONS -- Stevie Dickinson (left) and his crew, cousin Wesley Tucker, have plenty to smile about after winning yesterday's long distance race, equalling Alton Millett's record of 11 victories.