Having reaffirmed his status as king of the local comet fleet, Stevie Dickinson has now set his sights on competing on the international stage in two different classes over the upcoming months.

Dickinson, fresh off win number 14 in the Annual Long Distance Comet Race, is currently preparing himself for next month?s Byte Worlds to be hosted on local waters.

The Bermudian skipper will also bid to qualify for next year?s Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during August?s Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA) North American Championshipa to be held on Lake Gull Richland, Michigan.

?I?m going to try and qualify and hopefully I can make a strong showing,? the veteran skipper told .

Dickinson will be aiming for a top five finish at the North American Championships that would effectively qualify him for the 2007 Pan-Am Games.

The East End Mini Yacht Club stalwart previously won a silver medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Puerto Rico, sailing in the Snipes in 1994.

He said making the transition from Comets to Snipes was an easier task than making the adjustment to sailing in the Bytes.

?The Snipe is a little more tactical, mind you. But it?s not a big adjustment and the feel is nice just like a Comet and I think I sail better with a crew anyway,? Dickinson added.

?The Byte is a different boat altogether,? he explained. ?It?s more like a small Laser and reacts a lot different than a Comet would. She will roll over on you in a minute.?

Dickinson hopes to have Leatrice Roman join him as crew for August?s assignment in the USA. Roman recently crewed for Paula Lewin as they qualified for next September?s Nations Cup in Ireland, winning last week?s qualifying regatta in the US Virgin Islands.

East End skipper Dickinson is also the defending fitted dinghy Coronation Cup champion, having navigated Sandys Boat Club?s to victory last summer.

He clinched an unprecedented 14th Edward Cross Cup inwith Laser skipper Sarah Lane Adderley last Monday during the 62nd Annual Long Distance Race from St.George?s to Somerset.

He also denied perennial rival Rudy Bailey from claiming a second hat-trick of titles.

?Bailey hasn?t spoken to me since . . . he?s quite a fellow,? Dickinson smiled.

Meanwhile, Comet racing resumes this Sunday in the Great Sound.