Rudy Bailey successfully defended his Comet International Championship crown in Shrewsbury, New Jersey last week.The West End Sail Boat Club stalwart coped best in the light to moderate conditions sailing with American crew, Dominique Newbelt.Together the pair posted four bullets and won the seven-race series involving 23 boats with a race to spare.“This was the largest fleet we’ve had for a bit and seven multiple winners were at that regatta, so this was the toughest by far for me to win,” Bailey told The Royal Gazette.“The boat handling was good considering this was the first time I had sailed with the young girl (Newbelt) and only the second time I have sailed for the year because all I sailed was the Long Distance Race — and I jumped the start in that one.“The boat speed was excellent and the guys were all scratching their head saying ‘how could you do that again’. We had Bermudian type sailing conditions, light to moderate stuff which was great. It did get a bit shifty late in the afternoon, but other than that it was actually good.”The win was Bailey’s second straight at this event and fourth overall.He won his third Comet International Championship sailing with Newbelt’s elder sister, Gabrielle, in Cambridge, Maryland last year.“This is the first time I’ve won this regatta back-to-back and next year is going to be a big for because I’m looking for the hat-trick,” Bailey added. “This year was sweet to win it, but it would be even sweeter still to win it next year if I pull off three in a row because nobody has done that over the last 20 years.”• Campbell Patton underlined his potential as he produced a podium display at the Canadian Optimist Dinghy Championship in Dorval, Quebec.Patton, who represents Sandys Boat Club (SBC) and Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC), finished runner-up behind winner Jack Rieder of Canada.Patton, son of former Bermuda Sailing Asociation president and veteran Etchell sailor Tim Patton, posted four top-three finishes during the eight-race series hosted by St Lawrence Yacht Club and sanctioned by the Canadian Optimist Dinghy Class Association.Also flying the Island’s banner at the regatta were RBYC trio George Buckley (17th), Tayte Stefaniuk (23rd) and Luke Madeiros (52nd).