THE Port MacDonnell Sailing Club returned to the water on the weekend to kick off the second half of the season.
Crews were met with a stronger wind than the original forecast suggested, with the sea more choppy than it appeared from shore.
Despite the conditions six boats started the first race of the day.
A triangle-loop-triangle course with a finish off the club house was set by race officer Sharon Holmes, with Chris Jacobs driving the committee boat and setting the buoys for the race.
The first boat to cross the start line was Austral20 Mirage with Dennis Illman and Donnita Widdison on board.
The second boat across the line was Sabre Billy sailed by Nick Watson.
The strong winds made for exhilarating and tough sailing and the first three boats to start stuck together at the first buoy, with the fourth and fifth boats half a leg behind.
The committee boat travelled over the course to keep an eye on the fleet for any signs of trouble in the tough conditions.
The winds only increased as the race went on and boats began pulling out.
Billy capsized once, then continued for a while before deciding to abandon the race.
Austral20 Windy Fred with Tom Paltridge and Darrin Brown on board was the only boat to cross the finish line for the first race.
Due to the conditions and a lack of boats willing to race, the second race was called off.
