Not so much a race to the line as a fight for survival, Rockal Evans won the annual Edward Cross Comet Race over the weekend because he managed not to sink too often.In high winds and heavy seas Evans did capsize several times, but by that time he and crew Benn Smith were the only ones left in a race that began with 11 boats and finished with just Hot Tamali crossing the line at St George’s.Evans and Smith finished their battle with the elements from Somerset to St George’s in a time of two hours, 37 minutes, and received a standing ovation when they finally made it to the dock at the East End Mini Yacht Club.Past winner Stevie Dickinson came close to adding to his record number of victories, and was actually leading at one stage but his mast broke in high winds just near Tynes Bay, giving Evans a clear run to the line.“It was unbelievable, to describe it, it was like having a 25 horsepower on the back of a 16 foot boat,” said Dickinson. “I’ve never been so fast in a comet, never. It was unbelievable how fast we were moving, it was exciting, but hairy at the same time.“I would say it was as fast as I have ever gone, at one time I stayed up on a plane for maybe a minute or two and that boat was just flying, just flying, incredible.”With the rest of the fleet failing to make it past Spanish Point, Dickinson was ahead of Evans before a strong gust of wind led him to losing his mast.“It had to be blowing about 30 to 35 knots,” said Dickinson.“I was between Berkeley and Tynes Bay going down North Shore, I got into a gust, sheeted it a bit to control the boat, controlled it nicely, and just as I controlled it another gust pulled the main sheet right out of my hand and the mast went.“I was done. I was actually leading the race by actually a hundred yards or more.“I think the other nine boats, before they even hit Spanish Point they were capsized.”Dickinson was full of praise for Evans, especially having seen him capsize four times moments after losing his own mast.“I’ve got to congratulate him on a fantastic job, the boy sailed very well. What happened when I actually broke my mast, he was behind me, and as he was coming towards me I was waving to him so I could talk to him because to sail straight down wind was very, very dangerous.“So I told him to start to reefs, so he started heading to shore and he jibbed out, and end up capsizing about four times and he made it around the corner. He got a standing ovation when he made it to the dock.”Evans’ win has further convinced Dickinson that the young sailor can join the long line of Island sailors who have been successful on the world stage.“I think with the right people behind him (Evans), and the sponsorship that he needs, I definitely think he can reach a stage where he can be very proud of himself, and do well for this country,” said Dickinson.“He’s definitely got the talent, he’s young, he’s strong and he’s tall, so, in a boat that he wants to sail particularly, I think he’ll be excellent.”