Twenty-three boats enjoyed close racing in a range of conditions.

The boats were split into monohull, trailerable yacht and multi-hull divisions, that each sailed five races.

It was an all locals battle for the monohull crown, with 10 boats in the division.

Mike Smith sailed the club’s pacer to victory, assisted by recent sailing school graduates Eyrl Boulton and Hayden Riley as crew. 

Meanwhile, Alan Holbrook and Laine West finished second on their Mirror Miracle.

“We made too many mistakes,” Holbrook said.

Todd Helton sailed his pacer 1-up to third place.

Organisers said he might have been better off with daughter Tiller racing with him.

The trailerable yacht division saw a small, but competitive field. 

Trent Davidson and Julie Percival on Myoora won two races and finished second three times to win the division on count-back.

Equal on points with two wins, two seconds and a third were Greg and Rhonda Brown on Fly Navy Too.

Third place went to the enthusiastic Gordon and Iain Davidson on Tonka, who led the races but scored thirds on corrected time.

The multi-hull fleet included nine boats, with the locals being challenged by plenty of visitors from Port Kembla, Tumut  Narooma and the Southern Highlands.

Local champion Tony Hastings won the division, narrowly defeating rival Rod Anderson.

“It came down to who finished in front of the other in the last race,” Hastings said.

“I started well and was able to stay in clean air to hold the lead.”

“He was just too fast,” Anderson said. 

“I couldn’t catch him.

“I sail regattas all over the State, and this one is the most fun,” Anderson said.

Meanwhile, Tony Sanderson took line honours in three races.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been the fastest cat around a course at a regatta,” Sanderson said after being named third overall.

The club made a special mention of Hastings’ father Richard, who raced well and was seen standing out on trapeze with the hull flying at age 78.

Event organiser Rob Morton thanked everyone who helped coordinate the racing and making the event such a success. 

“I would very much like to thank Brian for the use of his boat as the start boat, Mark for his selfless time ... Jeff and Brian on Rescue 2, rescuing and setting the pin for me,” Morton said. 

“[And] it goes without saying, there is no way whatsoever that I would be able to get the needed jobs done on the start boat without Bob and Sian,” he said. 

Sailors joked that Morton was most thankful for the kitchen. 

For more information and visit the club’s website at www.thebega valley.org.au.