Bailey secures third Comet Championship

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West End Sailboat Club sailor Rudy Bailey captured a third North American Comet Championship on the US East Coast at the weekend.

The veteran sailor posted five bullets and a third to win the international regatta.

Bailey could not be reached for comment yesterday.

However, rival sailor George Hayward was delighted to speak on Bailey’s latest triumph on foreign surf.

“This is a great and wonderful achievement for Rudy to win the North American Comet Championship again,” the local Comet Class executive and former North Village goalie said. “Rudy has become a mainstay in the Comet fleet overseas and is well recognised for his many achievements.”

Hayward reckons Bailey’s recent success will inspire the influx of youth sailors currently sailing in the local Comet fleet.

“I think Rudy’s achievement is going to inspire the youngsters coming into the Comet fleet to strive for international sailing in the class,” he said. “They can now strive to compete in the Comet class overseas and I think this is a wonderful opportunity for them.”

Bailey has been limited to making cameo appearances in the local Comet fleet in recent years through various reasons.

But he has been in sizzling form in the double-handed dinghy lately.

Earlier this month he won the Long Distance Comet Race for the 11th tim at the helm of Temptation sailing with brother George Bailey as crew.

It was the second time the Bailey siblings have sailed together in the iconic race.

Prior to last weekend’s triumph in Maryland Bailey’s last success at the North American Comet Championships arrived in 2004. Incidentally, he also won the Long Distance Comet Race that year sailing with daughter Danielle.

Together Bailey and his daughter have won the Long Distance Race for the coveted Edward Cross Cup four times.

Only the late Alton Millett and Stevie Dickinson have won more Long Distance Races than Bailey.

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