Cup after the final two fitted dinghy races of the season in Granaway Deep on Sunday.

Their position at the top of the standings was strengthened when second-placed Elizabeth lost out on two protest rulings originating from the last round of races in Mangrove Bay.

Skipper Malcolm Smith and the crew of Elizabeth had lodged a protest against the race committee, reportedly claiming they were further back in the starting line-up than they should have been and that the race should have been ruled null and void. But their protest was thrown out.

Elizabeth managed to finish second in that race, but has since been disqualified after a protest against her by Contest over a rule infringement, reportedly failing to tack, was upheld.

The main battle on Sunday will be for second place. Elizabeth will be looking to hold off Contest , which will be skippered by veteran Andreas Lewin.

Lewin, who led Contest to five out of the last six Coronation Cups, will make a one-off return.

"The crew for this year is very young and all except Roger Mello have just gone back to school, so the old crew are getting back together, just for one day,'' explained Lewin.

"As far as the Coronation Cup is concerned, although Port Royal are not mathematically certain of winning, they would need to fall apart to give anyone else a chance.

"I think Elizabeth are only three-and-a-half points ahead of us, so they are within reach and and to catch them will be one of our main goals.'' Lewin has raced in the crew of Contest once this year and once with his sister Paula on Challenger and was confident he would not be too rusty.

"The crew we will have on Sunday have been racing together about five years, so we should do OK,'' he added.

Lewin will be joined on Contest by Christian Luthi, Robert Burkhart, Roger Mello and Kees Vanbeelen.

Lewin will also compete in the third annual race between Contest and Port Royal , to be held a week on Sunday, immediately before the finals of the Gold Cup.