Son of the soil Somers Kempe and crew captured the first jewel in the Vrengen Gold Cup crown in breezy conditions in the Great Sound yesterday.

Kempe did just enough to clinch the 'A' series in choppy seas before trading boats after his pick for the day, Encore, succumbed to damaged winches.

He currently leads past International One Design (IOD) world champion, Kevin Farrar, by nine -points with four races remaining in the 13 race series.

Even before the start of yesterday's seventh and final race in the 'A' series, Kempe and fellow crew members Craig Davis, Grant Valentine and Matthew Cairney were tasked with repairing a frayed shroud and eventually caught up with the rest of the fleet in time for the 11 a.m. start without a moment to spare.

But just when they figured their troubles were behind them lightening struck twice with both port and starboard jib winches breaking down, leaving Kempe no other alternative but to exchange boats with the third Race Week qualifier who just happened to be fellow title contender Hubert Watlington.

It may not have been a bad idea had Watlington thrown in the towel and accepted average points. Instead he chose to soldier on in a disabled boat and paid the price, slipping from second to fifth in the overall points standings.

"It was probably not a wise decision on his part," Kempe told The Royal Gazette on dry dock at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. "Hubert probably should have sat out the race and acquired average points because the boat (Encore) just wasn't sailable in these conditions today. It just wasn't up to the task."

It remained unclear at press time last night whether or not race officials had upheld Watlington's request for redress points for sailing in a damaged boat.

Having been given a new lease on life in an alternate boat, Kempe and crew made