Echo retained the Bermuda Maritime Museum Bowl in a thrilling finish to a damp and dismal day.

In the familiar territory of Mangrove Bay, Echo began the defence of her title in fine style with a victory over stablemate Challenger in the opening encounter.

The match-up had added interest as it pitted Olympic Star partners Peter Bromby and Paul Fisher against one another. And it was Bromby, standing in for regular skipper Martin Siese, who got the better of his Barcelona team-mate.

St. George's hope Victory sank leaving Contest having simply to stay afloat to win her opening encounter.

With squally showers interrupting the proceedings, and boats being forced to change sails to suit the weather, spectators had to wait about an hour before Bloodhound could complete round one with a victory over the hapless Elizabeth .

Echo continued her winning ways in round two when she held off the challenge of the tenacious Bloodhound . Challenger , meanwhile, got right back into the reckoning with a victory over Contest .

Contest ruined Echo 's unbeaten record in round three -- Bromby earning a disqualification for an infringement when he tried to go round on the inside.

Sharing the helm with Willy Wanklyn, Bromby and his crew members Mark Siese, Richard Bernardo, Anson Nash and Raymond Charlton despatched Elizabeth and finally Victory to end the day on four wins and one loss.

But fellow west-ender Challenger matched that feat, remaining unbeaten after her early defeat at the hands of Echo .

And, not to be outdone, Hughie Watlington's Contest also ended the day with a four and one record to join the Somerset duo in a three-way tie.

But, after a draw determined that Echo would sail off first against Contest , Challenger , fitted with sails too large for the rapidly-increasing wind, decided not to await the winner and passed up the opportunity to vie for overall honours.

After a long hard day, Fisher and crew decided to settle for joint second, and put their feet up to watch their Somerset colleagues win a close encounter with the pride of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

"It was a very tight race,''said Bromby. "There were only a couple of boatlengths in it most of the way.'' Bromby, who took the helm for four of the six races, was delighted with Echo 's performance. "I really enjoyed the boat,'' he said. "It was quite a difference from the boat I used to sail.'' Echo received $700 for her efforts, while Contest and Challenger each got $350.

Victory finished fourth, with Bloodhound and Elizabeth rounding out the fleet.