Patrick Cooper and his fellow crew made the perfect start to their Vrengen Gold Cup title defence on the opening day of the Bermuda International Invitational Race Week regatta in the Great Sound on Monday.

The two-times defending champions coped best in avoiding the pitfalls scattered about the windward-leeward racecourse in challenging light and shifty breezes to grasp pole position among the 12-boat fleet.

Helmsman Cooper and crew Martin Siese, Andrew Butterworth and Bill McNiven posted an impressive 1-4-1 record in the opening three races in the A Series to get their bid for a third successive title off to a flyer.

“We had a great day and it’s just nice to get out sailing because we haven't done much windward-leeward stuff this year,” Cooper told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s really good getting back in the boat with the guys because it's the first time we've been back to together as a team.

“Obviously we’ve got more races to sail and anything can happen, but I think we have made a good fist of it for the first day.”

Cooper and company laid down an early marker after taking the win in the first race.

“We had a really good first race, got off the line really nice and clean and were able to find the shifts and managed to get a first in that race,” Cooper said.

“Second race we butchered the start pretty badly and had to work our way from deep but managed to pull a fourth out of that one, which was probably our best racing of the day,” Cooper said.

The local team also didn’t have things all their own way in the third race, which featured some exciting racing among the international teams competing in the International One Design racing sloop.

“In the last race we were battling it out and managed to get a couple of good shifts and get up in the front for the last race,” Cooper added.

“It was challenging conditions, light and shifty out there. But we had good tight racing and the other guys, Kelsey Durham, Giles Peckham, they are not giving up an inch and are right in it.”

Fellow Bermudian helmsman Durham also got off to a good start, posting a 4-1-3 record alongside crew Michael Richold, Roger Beach, Ahzai Smith and Heath Foggo, to thrust themselves in the early hunt for honours despite finding the going tough in the light air conditions.

“Today was really light and I struggle in the light air,” said Durham, who trails compatriot Cooper by two points.

“It’s very hard to stay focused and keep the boat moving. I had a few mistakes but I’m looking to get better throughout the week.”

Multiple regatta winner Peckham, who is representing the Cowes Daring fleet, sits in third a further two points adrift of the leader.

Also finding the going tough on the opening day of the regatta was past IOD world champion Steve Madeira, who is making his debut in the event this year.

The American helmsman, who is representing the Northeast Harbour IOD fleet, sits in seventh after managing an 8-6-5 record on the day.

The IOD class is the only group participating in Bermuda International Invitational Race Week regatta, which runs until Friday.