A changing of the guard took place on Bermuda's seas yesterday as Jesse and Zander Kirkland became the first brothers in the 63-year history of the Annual Long Distance Comet Race to raise the coveted Edward Cross Cup.

And they achieved victory the hard way, completing two penalty turns on the race course between St. George's and Somerset, before overpowering class heavyweight Stevie Dickinson and crew Martin Finegan in which, for most of the way, was a two-horse battle.

The Kirklands let their intentions known right from the start when they jumped out in front. But all of their hard work came undone at the seams as they were forced to complete two penalty turns off Ferry Reach for forcing leader Dickinson to alter his course.

At this juncture, multiple Edward Cross Cup winner Dickinson seemed destined for an unprecedented 15th Long Distance title. However, his younger rivals refused to roll over and managed to reel in the East End Mini Yacht Club stalwart and sail through him midway through the race.

And from that moment they never looked back.

Dickinson eventually finished second while defending champion Rudy Bailey placed third.

For the past two decades, Dickinson and Bailey have stamped their authority all over the Long Distance Race. But it was the Kirklands who stole the limelight yesterday, displaying the budding skills they hope one day will lead them to Olympic glory.

"It was just a battle . . . It was tough out there," said victorious skipper Jesse. "It was a two-hour match race.

"It was definitely hard, but we just kept pushing and telling ourselves there's still hope."

Zander admitted race conditions were gruelling hiking to the finish.

"That was the toughest, longest race I've ever done," he smiled. "We were taking waves right over my head and my legs were killing me."

Dickinson relied on all his sailing experience, but still couldn't hold off the champions-elect whose youth – and heavier boat weight – ultimately prevailed.

"Zander and his brother were just so much stronger than we guys, especially after the half-way mark," he said. "Tactically, I thought we hung in there with them. But they just wore us out and I didn't expect those guys to be that physical all the way.

"I thought I could hold them once we got in front of them but they just kept coming back . . . they were just too strong for us."

The anticipated battle between old rivals Bailey and Dickinson never materialised as the former capsized prior to the start of the race and spent most of the afternoon playing catch-up.

"It was just one of those days when everything that could go wrong did go wrong," he said. "But despite that, I had a good race."

Bailey's West End Sail Boat stablemate, Gladwin Lambert, capsized at the start line but also made up considerable ground to place a respectable fourth.

"I couldn't believe it . . . but that's the way things go sometimes," he said.