Bromby, coming out the big winner and making major inroads into the Coronation Cup standings.

In winning the day's second race -- capturing the Whitney Cup -- Bromby, skippering syndicate boat Echo sailed with remarkable consistency in treacherous 15-20 knot breezes and outduelled his main rivals for third and first-place finishes.

Andreas Lewin, Contest's new skipper had little answer for the Somerset boat in the final race after holding off the challenge of another entry from the west end, Paul Fisher's Challenger , in the opening race.

Contest , the defending champion in the aforementioned Coronation Cup, found the going tough during the final race, and eventually succumbed under the pressure and withdrew for the second time in five races.

Lewin played down this factor, taking into the consideration the overall outcome of events, preferring to take an overall view.

"Our aim is to get in position for the Coronation Cup,'' said Lewin following the day's racing. "If we are solid in every race we would have a good chance.

"We want to sail solidly and not necessarily get too caught up in the pressure of trying to win every race.'' Still it was Lewin guiding his five-man crew with immaculate precision throughout the first race, steadily extending their lead after usurping the early barricade set up by Paul Fisher and Challenger .

The start saw Fisher seize the early initiative after Elizabeth II sunk barely 100 yards into the race. He held onto this advantage, until Contest , with superior speed, overtook and pressed home to the finish for her second triumph of the season.

Although Fisher would get his just revenge with the withdrawal of a major contender in the second and last race, he had his dreams of a possible win extinguished by Bromby who stepped front and centre in recording his first triumph of the young season.

Bromby, gearing up for an attack on the Marion-Bermuda Race as well as the Nation's Cup, being held in Georgia -- sparing the numerous expletives -- reiterated his standing as the Island's premier yachtsman, whatever the craft, by taking line honours for the ultimate race.

The results left Bromby tied for the top spot with Fisher and Challenger heading into the match racing series, ironically scheduled for their home turf in Mangrove Bay on June 20.

CHASING ECHOS -- Peter Bromby pictured finishing third in yesterday's first race but he came back to take the second aboard Echo .