Byte-ing off more than he could chew might have cost Stevie Dickinson an unprecedented 14th Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race title on Monday.

Dickinson, like East End Mini Yacht Club stablemates Scott Fox and Heath Foggo, fell prey to the guile of Rudy Bailey whose victorious caressed virtually every portion of the west to east course en route to successfully defending his crown with daughter Danielle onboard.

For Dickinson, the race was all but over at Stag Rocks near Dockyard as Bailey executed the first of several gutsy moves, daringly navigating his boat across the shallow rocks and leaving his pursuers in his wake.

The veteran skipper conceded: ?I just a made a few costly mistakes. I had good boat speed and Ty (crew Ty Trott) and I worked well together. But that mistake off Dockyard cost me.?

Just moments before Bailey pulled off his winning manoeuvre, rival Dickinson took his own gamble.

?As Bailey sailed his boat across the rocks (Stag Rocks) I got a good lift on the left,? he explained. ?I wasn?t really thinking and instead of being patient and remaining with the group of boats I took off another byte and committed myself to the left side anticipating that north easterly breeze.

?At that time I was in a very good position and I decided to take another byte to the left. I just lost it but it was a very gutsy move by Bailey because he wanted to play the shore. If he would have tacked out then I think he would have lost a little time.?

Despite the rare hiccup, Dickinson was able to recover considerable ground and finish fifth overall.

?I managed to work my way back up the fleet but ran out of real estate,? he added. ?I was just concentrating on staying in the breeze but it just wasn?t there.

?It was a very exhausting race and at times frustrating but we just had to hang in there, keep our concentration and keep sailing.?

Asked whether he believed the unlucky number 13 had any bearing on the outcome of Monday?s regatta, Dickinson replied: ?No way. I don?t believe in that superstitious stuff.?

The veteran skipper then paid tribute to his rival.

?Rudy sails really well in light air conditions. He has sailed in many regattas in the US in light air conditions. He understands what adjustments are required in light air and so he knew what he had to do on Monday.

?But everybody gets a turn and at the moment it?s Bailey?s turn . . . but I will be back.?

Dickinson also heaped praise on Foggo and Fox, the latter unlucky to see his bid for a maiden Long Distance title shot dead in the water.

?It was very unfortunate for Fox but I am proud of both of them,? said Dickinson. ?They are going to get their turn one day because they are improving all the time. These guys used to sail with me as crew and now they are skippers themselves.?

Foggo, sailing onboard Dickinson?s with the latter as crew, won the 2001 Long Distance title.

?It?s just amazing some of the things they have absorbed as skipper and I know they will get another shot,? added Dickinson.