Sailor Rudy Bailey will be looking to go one better at this weekend's North American Comet Championships in New Jersey.

The veteran skipper placed second in last year's championships behind winner Talbot Ingham who he predicts will again be his biggest threat on the surf.

"It's going to be a battle with the home town favourite who is Ingham," he said.

"He's basically the equivalent of a Stevie Dickinson; a high quality competitor and my biggest challenge by far.

"But I feel fairly confident and I rate my chances as very good."

The annual North American Comet Championships is a nine race series spread over two-days with each skipper permitted just one drop.

Bailey, who has three North American titles under his belt, will compete with American crew Emily Rogers who currently sails at the US collegian level.

Bailey warmed up for this year's championships by placing a respectable third during last Monday's Long Distance Comet Race – despite losing his tiller extension when his boat sunk while being towed to the starting line in St.George's Harbour.

Thanks to good samaritan, Charles Gibson, commodore of West End Sail Boat Club, Bailey was able to complete the race as the former unselfishlessly withdrew from the event and graciously loaned his stablemate a tiller extension and rudder.

Meanwhile, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club's fitted dinghy, Contest III, increased her lead atop the points standings after putting on another dominant display in Mangrove Bay earlier this week.

Picking up where she left off during last month's Heritage Day Race, Contest III posted three bullets to take a commanding 13 and a half point lead over nearest rivals Elizabeth II and Challenger II.

"We seemed to make all the right calls and I think we had a little more experience on the boat in conditions that were a bit challenging," commented Contest III skipper Somers Kempe.

"Sailing on flat water in 20 knot winds in a fitted dinghy is tough on anybody."

Contest III has now won the last eight races, a feat Kempe attributes to good seamanship on the part of his well drilled crew.

"We just took things one race at a time and I'm surprised we did as well as we did," he added.

Fitted Dinghy racing continues June 29 in Granaway Deep.