Gladwin Lambert is predicting a close-fought Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race title battle, in the 78th instalment of the historic regatta on Monday.

The race will start in the St George’s Harbour at 11am, with the fleet heading east out of the Town Cut channel, and making their way to the West End Sailboat Club.

Defending champion and record 21-times winner Stevie Dickinson ― who alongside Wesley Tucker beat Dale Brangman and Tajahri Rogers to the title last year, with Alan Frith and Phil Worboys in third ― will once again be among the main contenders for glory as he aims to defend his crown.

However, Lambert, a previous winner himself, has warned Dickinson faces stiff competition, with the likes of 11-times winner Rudy Bailey, Malcolm Smith, Maxwell Curtis and Scott Fox all tipped to be in contention.

“There are so many sailors who are capable on winning,” said Lambert, commodore of West End Sailboat Club. “Stevie is defending champion and an obvious one to look out for but he isn’t the only one; he will have some stiff competition for sure.

“Rudy Bailey has also won the race a lot of times and this year Malcolm Smith is back who is a very good sailor. Then you’ve got Dale Brangman and Alan Frith, who I race against a lot and you can’t rule him out.

“Maxwell Curtis has been sailing really well and Scott Fox is another to watch out for.

“As I said we have a lot of very capable sailors competing, so it should be a really good race. It’s hard to predict a winner.”

Whatever the outcome of the race, Lambert is just delighted to have the opportunity to keep the tradition of the long-running regatta going.

“I’m always just so glad to see the race return,” he added. “Obviously with the Covid situation still not over I’m just delighted that we are able to keep this historic regatta going.

“It all started back in 1944 and here it is to this day still going. It might not be the biggest fleet we’ve ever had, but it’s just fantastic to see it sill running.

“The forecast is looking like a light breeze of around eight to 12 knots so pretty perfect raceday conditions. I think it’s going to be a really open race and so it should be exciting.”