Comet ace Rudy Bailey placed second overall at the North American Championships held in Surf City, New Jersey.

The Bermudian skipper began his bid for a first North American title in three years on a highly promising note by seizing line honours in the first two races of the seven-race regatta in which each competitor was permitted one drop.

But Bailey lost considerable ground after being penalised for crossing the line prematurely in the third race and eventually finished eighth among the 13-boat fleet.

And despite discarding his worst finish (eighth) and placing no lower than fourth in the final four races of the international regatta, Bailey had to be content with runner's up honours after finishing four points adrift of eventual champion Talbot Ingram.

"He (Ingram) sails just slightly further up the New Jersey shore and so knows that body of water quite well," Bailey said. "I was sailing fast and well enough to win it (the regatta). By far I was the fastest boat, but I just had this little team thing against me."

Bailey was referring to the pivotal third race in which he claims to have been forced across the line prematurely by three American rivals who all resorted to match racing tactics in a effort to try and disrupt the Bermudian skipper's momentum. "They actually team raced me," he added.

The gamble, nevertheless, ultimately worked to the American's advantage as a local boat went on to clinch the regatta — even though Bailey battled valiantly by grabbing two seconds and a third down the stretch.

The veteran, who has dominated the local comet fleet so far this season, now hopes to rebound in this weekend's Lawrence (Stickers) Hendrickson regatta to be hosted by Mid Atlantic Sail Boat Club.

"I haven't competed in that race for quite some time," Bailey said. "But I'm definitely looking to bounce back in that particular race and I feel very, very comfortable heading into it."

Sunday's regatta — to be contested on the North Shore — is shaping up to be a interesting one with the likes of defending champion Gladwin Lambert, the fast improving Scott Fox and 1993 CAC Games silver medallist Stevie Dickinson among those competing.