A bushfire near the Busselton Industrial Area belched thick black smoke over the fleet at the start of the night race, bathing the fleet in an erie red glow as the sun set over Cape Naturaliste.
The fresh breeze that hampered firefighters gave yachtsmen a delightful night's sailing along the Geographe Bay shoreline in perfect conditions and flat water.
Results:
IRC Division 1: 1st: the Next Factor - Paul Eldrid 2nd & fastest: Optimus Prime - Trevor Taylor 3rd: Al Fresco - Frank Saraceni
IRC Division 2: 1st: R2D2 - Gary Rodoreda 2nd & fastest: Grand Prix - Gary McNally 3rd: By & Large - Denys Pearce
IRC Division 3: 1st: Bad Habits - Ian Holder 2nd & fastest: Arajilla - David Gilham 3rd: Minds Eye - Brad Skeggs