The race began in light to moderate breezes with a short beat to number nine buoy at Shelly Beach.

Bandit got the best start at the start boat end but your scribe couldn't see the rest of the starters because Kym Clarke's 47-footer Fresh was blocking the view. Must have been exciting though, because there was lots of yelling and cursing.

Fresh (Kym Clarke) cruised through the fleet and led to the first mark and for the rest of the race.

Some new 'attire' was quite noticeable in the form of new racing headsails on Speakeasy. The guys must have all come into money.

The next leg was a reach to the Submarine Buoy and the order soon settled with Speakeasy (Grant Ekerman) sailing well and taking up second place, and Shilo (Wayne Smith) filling third position.

After the sub buoy there was a long run to three buoy off the Lions Picnic Park with line of kites down the bay looking great.

Tallulah (Barry Lawes) and Canopus (Andrew Slack) were playing their usual covering games and heading away to starboard, while Tawhiri (Trevor Watherston) was following up at the rear heading straight for the mark.

Tawhiri's next feat of "growing" the perfect wineglass accompanied by an erect pole when halfway through the run must have been difficult to perform (or explain), perhaps early season cobwebs!

After three buoy there was a close haul to four beacon in which Tallulah cleared away from Canopus, then a beat to the submarine buoy with Bandit's good crew work keeping it up near the bigger boats.

By this stage Fresh was more than one leg in front of the fleet. Another run to three beacon was followed by a reach to Axels and a beat home.

Caitlyn and Rhythm lost ground here and Tallulah crept through.

The wind near the finish was light and flukey for some with the silos influence making it worse.

Fresh finished a clear 22 minutes in front of Speakeasy with Shilo third, Tallulah fourth and Rhythm 2 (Dave Lewis/Sue Roesler) fifth followed by Caitlyn (Kym Woolford), the Bandit, Canopus and Tawhiri.

Handicap placings were Bandit, first, Tallulah, second, Speakeasy, third and Tawhiri fourth.

The next race is to be a day race on Sunday, November 8, starting at 10am (not Saturday November 7 as printed in the program).