Contest completes treble
Contest III made a clean sweep of top honours during weekend Fitted Dinghy sailing in Granaway Deep.The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) dinghy won all three races with Somers Kempe and Peter Miller taking turns at the helm to remain on course to defend the coveted Coronation Cup.Miller is among those who could possibly take over the helm of Contest III when Kempe eventually decides to relinquish the post.“I am trying to spread the wealth and step back and get other people to drive and take over, and Peter Miller is probably going to be one of those guys that comes in and takes over,” said Kempe, who sailed in last month’s Newport Bermuda Race on board the Class 40 yacht, Icarus.The crew of Contest III managed to cope best in the light air conditions out on the race course.“It was exciting and close racing for the most part,” Kempe said. “We were a little ambitious in the first race by putting up the number two rig but then decided to go like everyone else with a three rig in next two races.“The wind was only blowing 8-12 knots and the conditions were relatively flat, so in hindsight we probably could have gone with the number two rigging.”Sailing with Kempe and Miller on board Contest III were the evergreen Roger Mello, Adam Barbosa, William Thompson and Butch Agnew.Finishing second behind Contest III on the day was Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club’s (RHADC) Elizabeth II that managed three seconds and a third with skipper Jon Nicholls at the helm.Sandys Boat Club Club’s dinghy Challenger II had a second and a third with teenage skipper Owen Siese at the helm.Skipper Mark Soares and crew on board St George’s Dinghy and Sports Club’s dinghy Victory IV took a second and two fourths.Fitted Dinghy sailing resumes on July 15 in St George’s Harbour.