The forecast for the day was light winds, and the Bay delivered accordingly, with most sailors experiencing a frustrating start before an exhilarating sail to the finish.

A good roll up of seven-of-the-nine registered yachts gathered at Casey’s Beach, with the horn blast at noon signalling the official start time from which all the boats would take their different handicap start times.

However, the nightmare for skippers struck – no breeze which left the first four boats severely handicapped, drifting with the current.

In fact, all four boats were still below the starting line when North Star crossed at 12.20pm in a zephyr.

The light breeze began to build to six- to-13 knots from a NW-NE direction, enabling all yachts to finally be under sail in improving conditions.

The smooth waters changed later in the race to a covering of white caps with the wind strengthening.

In the second leg of the course (Square Head to Wimbie Beach) Outwide (a Thompson 650 Sports with a sailing weight of about a tonne) sailed into the lead under a gennaker, followed by Xanthia (trialing her new carbon genoa) then North Star.

The rest of the fleet were now challenging the Bay course in the appealing autumn weather.

Maiden race entrant Charlie Barr III, sailed by Mel and Colin Stone, was impressive, and will be a threat when her new large blue and white gennaker is unfurled. She kept in touch with the proven performer Ghoster.

Meanwhile Horizon (skipper Michelle Grybaitis, crew John Clement and Jane Elek) were dueling with Eirene (the Greek Goddess of Peace), and the positions changed a number of times.

Outwide (skippered by Peter Schwarz and Pip Smith, with crew Neil Starmer and Rob Way) were first to finish in an elapsed time of just under two hours. Xanthia crossed 12 minutes later, with North Star another four minutes back.

The final placings: Outwide, Xanthia, North Star, Ghoster, Charlie Barr III, Horizon, and Eirene.

The next race is on June 2, with a pre-race briefing at the Batemans Bay Marina at 9am. Race four will be on June 9.

Boat entry for a single race is available, and visiting skippers are most welcome. Further details on www.bbsc.org.au - Winter series.