Under fair skies 10 yachts crossed the starting line of the Bay Cup race, held over new courses to test all points of sailing.

It was also the first race test for Accolade’s new rig, fitted earlier in the month.

Skippered by Matt Craig, the Adams 10.6 proved to be on the pace straight away against Andrew Bain’s sister ship, Wishful Thinking, the current club champion yacht.

Jim Levy’s Farr 9.2 Ghoster was back in racing action after a couple of seasons in absentia.

The two S80s had new skippers, John Drummond on Hotspur and Tony Sutton on Avior.

In the battle between the three Adams 10.6s, Wishful Thinking beat Accolade over the line by 45 seconds, followed by Simon Byrne’s Attitude eight minutes later.

Apostrophe’s skipper Tim Davis, who had to tow Accolade out of the marina when the engine wouldn’t start, steered his Bakewell White 36 to fourth ahead of Avior, James Gardiner’s Xanthia, Hotspur and Ghoster.

Two boats didn’t finish the course.

On performance handicap, Attitude turned the tables on Wishful Thinking and Accolade.

On AMS calculations Wishful Thinking pipped Accolade, by two seconds, and Avior.

Batemans Bay Sailing Club’s Try Sailing Day will be held on October 26 at Batemans Bay Marina.

Sailing captain Lachlan Brown says the public is welcome to find out what the sailing club does, have a look over some of the boats and go for a sail from 10am to 4pm.

“Sailing is a sport for all ages, budgets and skill levels,” he said.

“Several club yacht skippers are on the lookout for additional crew members and new sailors are always welcome in either the Batemans Bay-based yacht fleet or the off-the-beach fleet which races at Coila Lake at Tuross Head.”