Local Comet skipper Rudy Bailey has hit back at suggestions that he's "ducking" perennial rival Stevie Dickinson.

Bailey hasn't competed since relinquishing his Long Distance crown to his East End Mini Yacht Club rival last month.

Dickinson has dominated the local Comet fleet this season in a campaign which has seen him and crew Ty Trott wrest the James Perry Trophy, the Mid Winter regatta, the Flag Pole to Flag Pole regatta along with last month's annual Long Distance Race from Somerset to St.George's.

"Ducking Dickinson! I wouldn't exactly say that," exclaimed Bailey. "My work commitments have been very heavy and at the moment I don't have a crew. My (usual) crew (Fred Bulford) also has a lot of work commitments.

"Stevie and his girlfriend (Trott) are on a roll and are a magnificent sailing team. But it's going to take someone like myself to show up and derail him."

However, the veteran sailor will have to wait until he returns from competing in Oxford, Maryland in the annual Comet International Championships next month before he can get another crack at his perennial rival.

Bailey captured the prestigious international regatta in 2001 in Shrewsbury, New Jersey before finishing second last year in Stone Harbour, New Jersey.

Bailey's club-mate and mentor, Howard Simmons, is also travelling to Maryland.

The West End Sail Boat Club skipper said he was focused on the upcoming championships, held from August 22 to 24.

"I'm just focusing on the international championships in Maryland right now," he said. "I haven't competed since the Long Distance race. But I've been working behind the scenes in preparation for my international championship."