Officer of the Day, Phil Samuel, was faced with the decision of whether or not to start the race in the windy conditions, but he decided go ahead, and set a special course which kept the yachts away from most of the rocks. Wally Royall recorded 35 knots of wind and Tony Statham saw lots in the high 20s, so keeping heads down in some fierce gybes, and getting weight up on the windward rail were essentials. The fleet of seven yachts set off towards the windward mark near Trebah beach, but unfortunately Origo started early and did not realise the mistake, so despite competing well was not placed. Big Purple soon established a lead beating upwind and after rounding the mark at Trebah hoisted her spinnaker and began an exciting run before the wind towards Nare Point, planing as the gusts came. Jetta rounded second with a crew of ten and gave chase, but despite achieving nearly 15 knots could not match Big Purple's downwind speed of up to 17 knots. Jacobi suffered some damage to the mainsail and so skipper, Tony Statham, decided to cut his losses and not to use his spinnaker. Jabadeo's skipper, Wally Royall, decided not to continue in what he described as "survival conditions" and retired, as did Roly Kirby in Shere Khan. Jinjy and Origo were managing the conditions well, although Origo did get her spinnaker caught by a gust, which caused a temporary loss of control. On the second run down to Nare Point Jetta and Jacobi were sailing near to the South shore when Jetta was knocked down by a gust. As Jetta's crew struggled to regain control she was heading straight for Jacobi. Luckily the fact that Jacobi was not using her spinnaker gave her the manoeuvrability needed to alter course, and go round Jetta's stern. Jetta's crew regained control quite quickly from the broach, but not before a Vicky was heard to shout to Nick "Don't you dare hold that spinnaker sheet in your teeth!" In the meantime Big Purple was extending her lead and finished first, four minutes ahead of Jetta on corrected time, with Jinjy in third place.