Forrest MHR Nola Marino, shire president Ian Stubbs and commodores from Hillary and Dunsborough yacht clubs were also present.

The flag was raised and the national anthem was sung and then the flag officers were presented with their burgees. The Sail Past commenced at 2pm and after that racing began in the Patron’s Cup.

There were 27 yachts, which competed in pleasant conditions, with a 15-20 knot wind.

All the classes started together in the Yardstick race and the Catamarans proved that two hulls are better than one by taking out the first three positions.

Harcourts Bunbury (Ryan Duffield and Kane Ayres) took out first place and the Patron’s Cup and were closely followed by Unleashed (Greg Mair) and Buzz Off (Frank O’Keefe).

The Pelicans showed up their senior rivals with their smart and orderly Sail Past.

Toucan Too (Emily Macpherson and Tessa Keane) won the first Pelican race from Kiwi Girls (Hazel and Ina Hornell) and Bunyip II (Jacques and Djarrah Audet). The second race was won by Cool Runnings (Bryte Townsend and Riley Nail) with Toucan Too and Kiwi Girls backing up with second and third respectively.

The cruisers A-division saw the tightest finish of the day with Electric Tram and Ziggy Stardust tying for first place.