Fitted dinghy skipper Somers Kempe has attributed Contest III's Heritage Cup, Anniversary Cup and Leon D. Fox Cup treble in St.George's harbour last weekend to near flawless seamanship by his crew.

Picking up where he left off last season, Kempe and crew (Oliver Riihilouma, Rockal Evans, William Thompson, Roger Mello and Jesse DeCouto) issued an ominous warning to all who may oppose this summer by chalking up three bullets in nine to 12 knot southwest breezes on the three and two race course.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club's (RBYC) flagship also successfully defended the Heritage Cup for a record sixth straight year and retained the Leon D.Fox titles to cap a truly remarkable day of sailing in the East End ¿ thanks in no small part to the superb efforts of a well oiled crew.

"It was a pleasure driving the boat around the course with them ¿ the whole crew worked hard all day long," Kempe said. "I think our boat handling through the tacks was a little smoother than some of the other boats and gave us a slight edge.

"Our boat speed was on par, if not better, than the other boats. Everyone worked hard and we seemed to do what it took to get around the course faster. Things went pretty smoothly and we didn't have any major problems.

"We were fast around the course and everyone stayed relatively calm and collective; nobody got excited and lost it. Everyone enjoyed themselves. We just tried pick the shifts and get around people."

Victory in the day's opening race for the coveted Heritage Cup was especially sweet for Kempe and crew it was the first time any boat had raised the showpiece six years in a row.

"It was special to win the Heritage Cup for a record sixth time straight ¿ especially since it was a such a close race on the last upwind leg to the finish with the Elizabeth crew," he added.

Contest pipped Elizabeth tacking to the finish to set the tone for the remainder of the regatta.

"It was a terrific way to start the season and definitely a pleasure to be able to the Heritage Cup six years straight. It's a new record and something which I think is going to stand for awhile."

Contest's dominant display also enabled her to jump out to an early lead in the overall hunt for the Coronation Cup.

Fitted dinghy racing continues June 15 in Mangrove Bay, Somerset where Sandy's Boat Club will play host to the Bermuda Maritine Association Match Racing Series.