Coronation Cup holders Contest III retained their title during some closely fought and exciting racing in Mangrove Bay at the weekend.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club entry clinched the 2021 Bermuda Fitted Dinghy season series with two race days to spare during Sunday’s regatta, which they hosted.

Contest III posted two wins, a second and a third on the day, which left them with an unassailable lead at the top of the four-team standings with seven races, to be spread across the weekends of August 15 and 29, remaining in the campaign.

They finished in a three-way tie on points with Challenger II and St George’s Dinghy and Sports Club’s Victory IV at the conclusion of the three regular scheduled races.

All four teams sported their No 2 rigs best suited for the tricky and shifty eight to nine-knot breezes they were confronted with.

The first race of the day was for the CT Fowle Cup, which was won by Challenger II, with Contest II taking second, Victory IV third and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club’s Elizabeth II fourth.

Victory IV won the second race for the 50th Anniversary Cup to live up to the team’s name, with Challenger II crossing the line in second, Contest III third and Elizabeth II in fourth.

Contest III were victorious in the third and final race of the day’s regular schedule, with Victory IV placing second, Challenger II third and Elizabeth II fourth.

The RBYC entry then capped another fruitful day by winning the race for the RHADC Cup rescheduled from July 4. Challenger II was second, Victory IV third and Elizabeth II fourth.