Cup it was Peter Holmberg making the most noise in Hamilton Harbour yesterday.

The `island cool' helmsman with the curly dark locks and perennial smile made a pointed opening statement in winning the Escape Challenge Cup round robin, a warm-up for today's start of the Gold Cup proper.

Holmberg notched a perfect 4-0 record, beating five-time Gold Cup and reigning America's Cup champion Russell Coutts in the final.

"It was a fantastic outcome. It's obviously our warm-up for the big game tomorrow, but it's a real warm-up and the results are real,'' said Holmberg, who hails from the United States Virgin Islands.

"We're all out there trying to maximise the time we've got on the water to get the boat figured out, get our speed going, and to get our crew all in rhythm.

"I like Bermuda a lot, so when I get here I'm pretty comfortable. I'm from an island myself, so I think it's the start of a good thing.'' Indeed Holmberg appeared in fine form from the outset, brushing aside challenges from such renowned talents as Dennis Conner, Dean Barker and defending Gold Cup champ Andy Green to top Group One.

A much more intense affair unfurled against New Zealand's Coutts, who had likewise sailed through the first phase unscathed, taking on the likes of Peter Gilmour, Magnus Holmberg and Ed Baird.

Something had to give ... and it did, as Coutts was penalised at the start for gaining an unfair advantage, and while he led throughout the first three legs, his need to make a penalty turn prior to crossing the finish allowed Holmberg to slip through and take the gun.

"Russell's obviously at the top of the game, so to pull one off against him is a good booster,'' said Holmberg, who has twice reached the semi-finals of the Bermuda regatta.

Meanwhile, Coutts appeared satisfied with his showing and was hopeful of more success starting today.

"It was good out there,'' said Coutts, universally recognised as the world's top match racer. "That was the first time I've sailed since the (America's) Cup, so it felt good. I wouldn't guarantee it's going to be good all week though, but it was today.'' The Kiwi was not nearly so impressed with the ruling that ultimately cost him the win.

"We made a couple of errors in the last race, I didn't really agree with the umpire calls, but that's the way it goes ...'' he said.

Today sees Coutts turning his attention to Andy Horton, the top skipper to emerge from Group Two qualifying.

Coutts admitted to knowing little about Horton, but accepted his opponent knew something about winning.

"Don't know much about him really, but they must be sailing well,'' said Coutts. "They won their flight and must be good sailors.'' Conversely, Holmberg is very familiar with his next adversary, Kelvin Harrap, having practised with him in recent months.

Today, though, the gloves will come off.

"Kelvin's good, I like him,'' said the affable Holmberg." We get along and did some training together a few months ago after the (America's) Cup, so I'll enjoy racing against him.'' For his part Harrap expressed relief at being able to get through the qualifiers against what was arguably the best gathering of unseeded skippers the event has ever seen.

"I'm relieved to make it through and be able to sail in the next round,'' said the Kiwi, who earned his place at the event by winning the York Cup.

"I'm looking forward to sailing against Peter tomorrow.

"We have a good time every time we go out, so we'll just wait and see how it goes.

Other match-ups today will see number one seed Barker taking on Chris Dickson, Conner tackling Murray Jones, Green engaging James Spithill, Gilmour facing Neville Wittey, Baird seeking to get past Dalton Bergan and Magnus Holmberg squaring off against Cameron Appleton.