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Sailing on Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, on three-lap windward/leeward courses, the breeze was a comfortable 6-8 knots at 45 degrees, with blue sunny skies for the 9.30am start.

Most of the fleet opted for a boat end start, but it was Simon Nelson/Andy Ramus (GBR) sailing NA26, who got the better start at the pin end of the line.

For most of the race, Bancroft tussled with Nils Joliffe/Jon Branch (GBR) Ray Marine. At one stage, coming to the leeward mark for the second time, Joliffe had a good 10-boat lead over Bancroft, who reacted quickly, executing a perfect kite drop and mark rounding to close the gap to one boat length in a matter of seconds.

While Bancroft and Joliffe continued their fight around the course, Tim Fells/Dave Cunningham (GBR) NA4, Jono Pank/Shaun Barber (GBR) Snatch, and Woollahra S.C. members, Richie Reynolds/Lissa McMillan The Nude, and Abby Parkes/Sophie Hunt, Hunt Leather both Australian entries, were having a battle of their own behind the leaders.

Having dispatched with Joliffe on two occasions, they had to do so one more time. With Bancroft leading three-quarters of the way to the leeward mark for the last time, Joliffe, behind but to windward, got a nice puff, allowing him to catch Bancroft.

As the pair approached the gated-leeward marks, with the wind at 8-9 knots, Joliffe had no alternative but to go left to overtake, but Bancroft went right, towards the shore, and that was the end of the story.

Sailing to windward for the finish line, it was clear that Bancroft had picked the better option as he crossed the finish line 27 seconds in front of Joliffe.

Speaking from the racetrack, Bancroft, a former International 14 State champion, and current Victorian and National champion in the B14 said, 'We went very well, we won this race on tactics and great crew work from Rhys.'

Asked who the biggest threat was for the series, Bancroft said, 'definitely Tim Fells, he's just always there - you can't turn your back for a minute.' Bancroft/Bancroft lead the series with 2 points from Fells/Cunningham with 8 points and Reynolds/McMillan with 9 points.

Race 3 was postponed due to lack of breeze.

Results after 2 Races