Dinghy sailing resumed at Goolwa Aquatic Club on Sunday after a break for Christmas.
Sailors looking forward to the expected gentle 12 knot breeze were faced with a different proposition, as even while rigging the wind was obviously picking up.
By the time the race finished mid-afternoon, the south-westerly winds had reached a new 17-21 knots, making for exciting sailing.
Only a senior fleet raced that day, with the 10 boats a mix of classes including seven Sabres, two Finns and an RS200.
Aaron Heritage in his beautiful wood Finn was the first to cross the line in each of the three races.
John Gratton cruised impressively in the Saber to finish second to Aaron in Race 1, ahead of Bruce Konings in the other Finn; John, undisputed winner of Race 1 on corrected time, ahead of Rob Gale in the squared top of Saber.
In Race 2, the fleet of vintage boats racing on the lake added to the complexity of determining a winning strategy.
Dave and Kelly Steele in the RS200 (not to mention the bungs this week), came in second behind Aaron, with the square-headed Sabers of Rob Gale and James Veale third and fourth on the line just ahead of John Gratton.
By the yardstick, however, it was once again John in first place, with Aaron in second and Rob in third.
In the build-up winds, Peter de Vries took an unplanned dive after becoming tangled with the windward mark, but was back in action for Race 3, continuing a fierce battle with fellow Sabers of Derek Maxted and Aleida Steele .
Navigation to Goolwa.
Race 3 was only contested by nine boats. Aaron stamped his authority in the stronger wind, finishing two and a half minutes ahead of second-placed Dave and Kelly in the RS200, with James Veale just ten seconds ahead.
The lead was enough to give Aaron the Race 3 victory on corrected time, with John Gratton taking second and James third.
Overall, on a corrected time basis, John Gratton won the day, with Aaron Heritage second and Rob Gale third.
James Veale won the day on personal handicap, with John Gratton second and third split between Dave and Kelly Steele and Ron Rickards.
The next day of racing will be January 30 and will be a round of the Club Championship Series.
