Club as their boat, Elizabeth II , recorded two wins yesterday in Granaway Deep -- its first of the season -- bagging both the Leon D. Fox Cup as well as retaining the Jubilee Cup.

Winds were extremely light -- in the three-to-five knot range -- but skipper Willie White took advantage of a 90-degree shift during the second race that effectively eliminated any need to tack, placing the emphasis purely on boat speed. And the craft nicknamed the `Banana Boat' peeled away from the rest of the fleet, creating a gap of almost an entire leg by the finish in leading from the outset.

Later on, and with spirits still high from this initial breakthrough, White and his crew returned to the scene for their annual challenge race against Victory IV representing the St. George's Dinghy and Sports Club. The Hamilton club had seized the cup -- created in the late 1800s -- from their vaunted rivals last year and were once again aiming for success, which would ensure their hosting of the competition next year.

Great excitement could be felt among the throng of spectators on hand to support their favourite boat, however the east-enders' cheers were soon silenced to be replaced by an eerie sinking feeling after Victory's spinnaker pole became entangled in her rudder post, causing it to capsise thus dropping out of contention.

It was an anticlimactic end to what appeared to be shaping up as a classic confrontation between the two clubs. The lead had already swapped hands three times by mid-race as Elizabeth took the early lead only to be overhauled on the second leg to windward and then fought back relentlessly after rounding the windward mark. Then came all to swiftly the crucial moment that eliminated any lingering suspense among the crews and onlookers alike.

But for the day, sun did not shine solely upon one boat, as Echo also had reason to be jubilant, running its winning streak to three on account of a triumph during the opening race before having it broken in winding up third the next time out. In the process, Martin Siese managed to trim the gap between his boat and second-place Challenger II to eight-and-three-quarter points with two races remaining.

Second in that race was Contest III followed by Challenger , Elizabeth and Bloodhound . Victory withdrew fearing a protest after colliding with Echo and just missed striking Challenger at the leeward mark.

Nevertheless, Contest appears well on course for the prestigious Coronation Cup despite a miserable last place finish in the second race. Hughie Watlington and the boys from the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club clung to their five-and-three-quarter point lead atop the overall standings.