night as Hughie Watlington and his Contest III crew were finally able to loft the Coronation Cup as they sailed brilliantly in both races yesterday in Granaway Deep, holding off nearest challengers Echo .

Not content with merely winning the overall title, the boys from the Front Street Club wanted to finish the season in style and this they did as they were victorious in the day's final race.

"It was great, man,'' said an elated Watlington, who stated that he was retiring as skipper after seven years at the helm. "I've been a bridesmaid every time and now I'm a bride. It's a wonderful feeling.'' Contest entered the day with a five-and-a-half point lead over the second-place boat, requiring any combination of results that would give them eight points -- providing Echo won both races.

The gap was trimmed to four-and-a-quarter after the latter took the opening race for the Hurst Cup and needing to come fourth or better in the second -- for the RHADC Cup -- Contest sailed impeccably for first place, erasing any hopes the Somerset boat may have had.

There was trouble during the first race when Bloodhound first became entangled with Victory IV precipitating a restart and last week's heroine Elizabeth later capsised rounding the leeward mark.

Under moderate conditions, Contest became the early front-runner based on a good start and at one stage she led by 40 seconds. But Echo , with Martin Siese and crew working well in tandem, managed to claw their way back and seize the lead before reaching the third windward mark and once ahead they never relinquished that position. Contest remained second followed by Challenger , Bloodhound and Victory .

Spectators were treated to another splendid battle between the top two boats during the second race with a role reversal occurring as the syndicate boat was stripped of the leadership by Contest and despite all efforts, could not recover.

Watlington made his decisive move sailing downwind, nipping in front of Siese just before rounding the leeward mark so as not to allow his rival the advantage of the inside line.

The pair also engaged in more than a few intense tacking duels, but on each occasion Watlington emerged on top just as he did at the finish.

Consistency throughout the season proved the key for the Hamilton boat. Out of a total of 19 races they won five outright and were second an amazing nine times, finishing out of the top three on a mere three occasions -- they placed third twice.

In contrast Echo won two races more -- seven -- but six times came fourth or worse. A period of inconsistency experienced early in the year hindered their upward charge at the end.

However, credit must be given to Siese and his men, who have turned a craft given up for dead by its previous owners into one of the elite.

The same cannot be said of defending champions Challenger , who blasted everyone out of the water to start off with, but allowed internal turmoil to ground their effort.

Even the return of Olympian Paul Fisher following his stint in Barcelona could not sufficiently raise their level as they floundered in a sea of mediocrity, falling from a virtually unassailable position to their final one as also-rans.

But nothing can be taken away from the crew of Contest , especially after watching the way they performed as a complete unit from week to week.

"These people -- crew and other club members -- have put a lot of work into this boat and I just try and make it go,'' said Watlington, Contest's skipper the past seven years."It makes winning exceptionally nice having had such a huge involvement with the building process and everything.'' He also singled out praise for chief rival Siese and said that he hoped the sport would continue to remain an integral part of the Island's sporting heritage.

Watlington will now focus his attention on Bermuda's only remaining sloop Shamrock , which he plans on entering in a couple events next year.

HAIL THE CONQUERING HEROES -- Peter Bromby and his crew returned triumphantly to the Island yesterday after successfully defending the IOD World Championship in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Bromby needed to pull out all the stops in Friday's final race to beat out hometown favourite Bill Widnall and compatriot Penny Simmons. Pictured from left are: Mickey Cox, Lee White, Bromby, Malcolm Wilson and Mick Finnegan.

NO CONTEST -- Hughie Watlington and his crew aboard Contest III , right, lead Martin Siese in Echo , centre, as they make the turn and head up leeward leg during yesterday's racing in Granaway Deep. Contest emerged as overall champion following first and second-place finishes. On the left is St.

George's entrant Victory IV .

SIX MEN AND A DINGHY -- The race is on as the six-member fleet battle for position in yesterday's first race for the Hurst Cup. Echo , partially hidden with sail number nine, eventually won the race.