Contest III came away with a clean sweep of victories during another eventful day of Bermuda Fitted Dinghy racing in Mangrove Bay last weekend.

Led by helmsman Christopher Adderley, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club entry won all three races in a challenging 15-18 knot wind that took its toll on the four-boat racing fleet.

“It looked like it was a day that they had a lot on,” said former RBYC commodore Somers Kempe. “It was a lot of breeze, a lot of shifts and a tough day to sail a fitted dinghy.”

Adderley and crew got the day off to a perfect start after passing leaders Victory on the first downwind leg and going on to win the opening race for the Gilbert Bowl.

St George’s Dinghy Club entry Victory finished second and Sandys Boat Club’s Challenger II third, while Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club’s Elizabeth II was unable to make it to the start line after damaging a mast.

The second race featured some exciting racing before the fleet eventually spread out with Contest III taking the win and the Cambridge Cup followed by Challenger II, with Elizabeth II third and Victory fourth.

The start of the day’s third and final race was delayed after a big wind shift forced the race committee to reset the course.

When racing finally resumed, an all too familiar sight unfolded as Contest III again led the fleet across the line to clinch the Sandys Boat Club Shield and complete the clean sweep, while Challenger II took second and Victory and Elizabeth II both sank.

Victory went under after capsizing during the second upwind leg, while Elizabeth II was ruled out completely after sinking before the start of the race.

Sunday’s regatta was hosted by Sandys Boat Club, whose team had momentum heading in after finishing as the top boat during the previous race day held at Granaway Deep.

Adderley and Contest III are off to a solid start to the campaign after clinching the prestigious Heritage Trophy during the season opener and also top the fleet in the overall season series for the coveted Coronation Cup.