St George’s Harbour was awash with fluorescent pink sails, colourful hulls and captains and crew, young and experienced, as the Comet Class shared the waters with Zest, Feva and Optimist of the Endeavour fleet at the weekend.

However, while the latter enjoyed a period of practice, the Comets took on serious business in the Ace Installers Regatta, hosted by East End Mini Yacht Club, the first of a three-race series to end the season.

In light wind conditions and with the race for the overall top spot still up for grabs, defending champions Maxwell Curtis and Wesley Tucker made a statement on home waters.

The tandem dominated the day’s initial two races, recording a pair of firsts, before slipping to third in race three as Alan Frith and his daughter, Laila Frith, took the horn.

Curtis and Tucker recovered to place second in the day’s final outing, which Scott Fox and Sarah Frith won.

The combined results allowed Curtis and Tucker to win the day with four points, while the consistency of the Friths, with three third-place finishes and one first, earned them second place.

Fox and Sarah Frith tied for third overall with Greg Wade and Geno Smith, as both tallied eight points.

With two race days remaining and a championship still to be decided, class president Curtis seemed less concerned about winning another title than about preserving the class for future generations.

“Having the Comet Class in the water every Sunday is my main goal,” explained Curtis. “We've been at the forefront of sailing in Bermuda, and we're one of the only classes that are actually out there every single Sunday.

“It's been decades for me and being the Comet Class president, I have a mandate to ensure that we get on the water and also we get the children involved.

“Like today, we had Alan Frith and his daughter sailing. Laila is very young, has a lot of promise and trains at Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, but it’s important for our long-term wellbeing to have them taking part.”

Contrary to his skipper, veteran crewman Tucker remained focused on securing the title after a long, hot summer of racing.

“As far as I’m concerned, I don’t like losing,” said Tucker. “Winning’s the number one goal for me, you know. It’s something I’m used to from my time with Stevie Dickinson.

“I’ve experienced a lot and learnt a lot. And I try to pass it on to my skipper and some of the other crew.

“If they want to listen, they listen. They can get faster by listening, but some don't want to listen.

“I know what it takes and Max knows what it takes to be successful, which is why every Sunday me and Max are out there busting our backsides.”

Racing continues this week at East End Mini Yacht Club with the penultimate set of races.