Bermuda’s Blythe Walker managed a stunning victory over Americas Cup winner and previously unbeaten Ed Baird to advance to the quarter-finals of the King Edward VII Gold Cup today.

And the 1992 Olympian did it the hard way as he cast off the shackles of a penalty at the finish with Baird some five-boat lengths off the pace.

Bermuda’s other representative, Glenn Astwood also booked his place in the last eight by winning his flight this morning.

Walker’s inspiring victory gave him a 5-1 winning record and qualification for the quarter-finals, the second straight year the 30-year-old skipper has reached the last eight.

Walker’s bid, though, got off to an inauspicious start when he was flagged for a penalty behind the start line as the two Group A skippers jockeyed for clean air. But the heavily favoured Baird failed to capitalise on the Bermudian’s misfortune and was also penalised for crossing the start line prematurely.

Walker jumped out to an early lead, to quickly seize the upper hand, and then managed to cover Baird over the distance of the race course before completing a 360-degree penalty to clinch a famous victory.

Astwood (5-1) was also not to be denied as he too advanced to the last eight from Group C, courtesy of a win over Englishman David Tabb.

Astwood and his UK rival were neck-and-neck over the first three legs. But the local Gold Cup hopeful managed to roll over Tabb on the final downwind leg and cover the Englishman all the way to the finish to seal his place in the quarter-finals - and cap a memorable morning of match racing in Hamilton harbour.

* Full story and pictures in The Royal Gazette tomorrow.