Scott Fox completed an impressive comeback from injury after claiming his first major title in the Comet class.

Competing along with crew Joanna Santiago, the experienced East End Mini Yacht Club sailor held off a charging Gladwin Lambert in a fierce tacking duel to the finish to win last month’s 50th Warren D “Mickey” Foggo Flagpole to Flagpole Race, one of three major titles up for grabs annually in the class.

“It felt good to win my first Flagpole because I have had some pretty bad experiences in that race before,” Fox said. “But on the day, after seeing the weather forecast, I just felt like today is the day I am finally going to put all that bad luck behind me and win the race.”

The triumph was also the pair’s maiden regatta win competing together in the class.

“This is the first year Joanna and I have sailed together,” Fox added. “We have won a few races in class racing in the harbour, but this was our first overall performance.”

Fox’s career came to a grinding halt because of health issues, which ultimately led to a lengthy hiatus from the sport.

“I took a break because of a pinched nerve in my back and I was overweight, which played a major part in the back issues,” he explained. “I think I missed two years completely and last year I just sailed the Edward Cross Long Distance Race.

“I came back out this year for the Colin Clark Spirit of Bermuda Rally.

“I thought I was just going to do that event, but had such a good time, and didn’t feel any effects of the previous back issues, so I kept sailing.”

It proved to be a wise decision indeed as Fox has bounced back with a bang and is now expected to be thick in the hunt for a second major at tomorrow’s offshore Lawrence “Stickers” Hendrickson Memorial Regatta.

“I am sailing good and feeling confident going into the regatta,” he said.

“But everybody else is also sailing fast, so I still have my work cut out.”

The regatta consists of a four-race series and is being hosted by the Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club.