Benn Smith is optimistic that he will be exonerated by the Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race protest committee at a hearing that will be held at Royal Bermuda Yacht Club on Friday.

Smith and crew Christian Ebbin, the two-times defending champions, were firsrt across the line on Monday by a huge margin only to later discover that a protest had been filed against them by Maxwell Curtis Jr and crew Wesley Tucker after an alleged collision between their boats during the early stages of the race.

“I’m not going to go into the actual situation because we’ve got to go to the protest for that,” Smith told The Royal Gazette.

“But I really think that Christian and I have a really strong case to make and I think it’s a fairly simple case to make.

“We are prepared to go into the protest and win, and there are a lot of reasons why we will win it.”

The protest has overshadowed what would be the West End Sailboat Club pair’s third straight victory, and their fourth overall, in the prestigious race.

“It’s taken the shine off and it doesn’t feel good to be accused of something,” Smith said.

“We won the race by one of the biggest margins in recent history and that feels good. I think we’ve really proved that we were the best sailors on the water.

“We played the shifts better than everyone else and were very happy. I think we really proved ourselves there.”

Curtis has confirmed that he filed the protest against his rival skipper but would not comment beyond that.

Alan and Sarah Frith finished second for the third straight year, with East End Mini Yacht stablemates Curtis and Tucker crossing in third.

Race results remain provisional until the outcome of the protest.