Sailor Josh Brunt (13) described it the best.
``If you ranked it from one to 10 and one was the worst and 10 was the most awesome thing you've ever done then it was like a 20,'' he said.
It seems being tipped out of a boat and sailing in a near howling gale is fun for most.
The going was tough in the strong winds on Otago Harbour yesterday for the final day of competition in the O'pen Bic national championships.
The 40-strong fleet had tried to start about 10.30am yesterday but gave in to the strong winds.
The wind had barely dropped off in the afternoon but about 1.30pm the green light was given and the light boats started heading out on to the water.
However, many of them did not even make it downwind to the start. The wind was blowing hard and the young sailors - some under 13 - struggled in the conditions.
Many of the sailors were capsized and struggled to get their boats back upright.
After about 15 minutes and no sign of everyone getting near the start line, the decision was made to can the race, which took place in front of the University of Otago aquatic centre.
The sailors limped back into shore and most had a smile on their faces.
``It was really fun. Some of those waves were really big and you could ride them as waves,'' Anna Walrond (14), of Dunedin, said.
Some of the sailors lost connection with their yachts and the craft had to be caught before they headed to Ravensbourne.
Master sailor Russell Coutts said it was an ``experience'' and a real test of their seamanship.
For the record, the lost day of sailing yesterday did not matter as the fleet still raced 10 races, more than the required eight. Ahzai Smith, of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club won the gold fleet category while Christopher Raymond, also of Bermuda, won the silver fleet.
The fleet moves to Lake Wakatipu for more racing this weekend.
