The light shifting westerly on Sunday was a test of patience for mark layers Gary Smith and Pete Saunders.

Sailing the third race standing up Meech and Smith jousted continually.

The Lasers, Splash, Starlings and Zephyrs were half way up the first beat before the wind stabilised with more pressure. Saunders said he was assisting Smith because 'Gary knows ‘f' all.”
Hiking hard with hair flowing and thighs working, Laser Radial sailor Phil Smith edged ahead of his rival, Molly Meech. Rounding the top mark they led the fleet. Relishing the increase in pressure, Laser 4.7 sailor Robyn Caundle rounds next. Splash sailor Mike Turney and Zephyr sailor Simon Meech lead their respective fleets.
Meanwhile, the P Class and Optimist sailors were arm wrestling up the first beat. At the top mark, Gen Saunders was first around. The Green fleet were hanging-in while hanging-on as small white caps broke around them. Monique Frost and Elle Warren had enough ticker and finished the race in first and second respectively.
Crouching on the ‘Harry Highet', behind the orange pole, race officer Warren Belk watches closely as two P Class approach the finish together but on different tacks. Liam Merton had closed the gap on Saunders to within half a boat length. Under pressure she tacks on the line, the horn sounds and Merton wins by half a boat length. Saunders went on to win the other two races. Optimist sailor Dylan MacKinlay withstands the pressure from Jacob Millar and finishes just in front of him. Arm wrestling on water doesn't get much better.
The flowing hair has become wet wisps but the thighs are still working and the edge still maintained. Looking with delight toward the committee boat, Phil Smith raises an arm to signal his victory. Approaching the finish line, Simon Meech looks over his shoulder at Jeff Collins, who had also closed the gap. The horn sounds as Meech crosses first. Collins went on to win the other two races. Berrick Fitzsimmons in his Starling was next with blind world champion sailor Paulien Eitjes happy to be just two minutes behind.
In race two, Meech beats Smith comfortably. Sailing the third and final race standing up, they jousted continually, swapping positions several times on each lap. Just before the final beat with Smith in front, Meech tires of the game and sits down. Savouring the moment, Smith (184692) stays standing to celebrate his second win over her.