Gripper sailed away to take opening honours during Wednesday's evening races in Hamilton Harbour.

On a lovely evening that saw 10 knot breezes greet some 21 boats of varying shapes and sizes, several found themselves in early difficulty in being over the start line early and forced to redress.

Much shouting and screaming ensued in the confusion, where craft sailed perilously close to each other.

A three-legged circuit to a turning mark just off Salt Kettle had Gripper, a J-24, reach home first.

The second outing did not involve so much action at the start line, with Addiction able to claim line honours.