The race began off HMAS Creswell with a small consistent southerly swell coming through the mouth of the bay and 10-knot southerly winds.

The Navy yacht, Franklin, skippered by Brendan Blank, got  the best start leading the fleet into the wind to the first mark. They were chased by Cest La Vie, racing for JBCYC and helmed by Mark Tobin,

Rick Early's Sojourn 3 competing for JBCYC followed the leaders closely pulling away from Ros Chitenden in Element, sailing for the Navy team. This was Element's first race stepping up to Division 1 after a successful summer season racing in Division 2.

The catamaran Tranquillity, skippered by Alan Leach and racing for JBCYC, led SasSea, helmed by John Lawrence and racing for the Navy. Tranquillity briefly pulled ahead of Sojourn 3, but as the yachts turned at the northern end of Callala Beach and headed across the bay Sojourn 3 got back in front.

Franklin and Cest La Vie stayed close as they reached across the Bay with the winds gusting up to nearly 15 knots. As they approached Honeymoon Bay, Franklin began stretching its lead as the winds eased, and Sojourn 3 started closing on Cest La Vie.

Franklin was the first yacht across the finish line in a time of 2 hours and 35 minutes, just over 9 minutes ahead of Cest La Vie. Sojourn 3 couldn't quite catch Cest La Vie, crossing the line just over 3 minutes behind them.

Y-Knott, skippered by Steven Lee and racing for JBCYC, was the first of the smaller Division 2 yachts to cross the finish line in 2 hours 54 minutes. The closest finish in the matched pairs was at the tail end of the field between Scott Bickerstaff, Halcyon, racing for JBCYC and Harald Honecker, On-Y-Va, racing for Navy. It was On-Y-Va's first race with the club and Halcyon finished only 59 seconds ahead.

At the end of the day's racing the Navy team had won 2 of the match races and JBCYC had won 6. HMAS Creswell Captain Warren Bairstow was on hand at the post race festivities to congratulate the JBCYC Commodore, Davis Churchward, on the club's retention of the Creswell Cup for a second consecutive year.

The day's racing was also the first round of the JBCYC Callala Cellars Autumn Series and the results on handicap in Division 1 were, Rick Early (Sojourn 3) 1st, Brendan Blank (Franklin) 2^nd and Alan Leach Tranquillity 3rd. In Division 2 Steve Lee (Y-Knot) was 1st, Kevin Lord (Summer of 69) 2nd and Pat Grogan (Sirocco) 3rd. Winners and runners-up received bottles of wine from the JBCYC's Club Championship sponsor, Crooked River Wines.

The race was also the 4th round of the Tahmoor Rural Round the Bay Series. Alan Leach in Tranquillity now leads Division 1 with Trevor Smith in Relentless leading Division 2.

The club's next race is the second round of the Autumn Series on Sunday, March 31. If you are interested in racing your yacht or being part of a crew, the club welcomes new members, see the club's website jbcyc.com.au for more details.