Went with a friend on his new Beneteau First 27 on an RBSA boat race from Linstead pier on Round Bay down the Severn to the Rt 50 bridge and back. Wind was 20 sustained from the north, with gusts in the mid to upper 20's. We reefed the main and scooted downwind from the start at 6-7 knots, eventually being passed by larger boats with 8-9 crew aboard who were wing-and-wing. Luckily we'd practiced before the race so we had gained a big of experience in the day's high winds, improving our ability to get the traveller across as we tacked and adjusting the angle of the mainsheet coming out of the traveller so we could easily dump the mainsheet -- key on a day like this. Once we got to the bridge and turned around it took us 5 tries to get through the span since the wind around the bridge piers was so fluky. Short-tacked in the Narrows for seemingly forever, finally getting out into Round Bay again and stretching our legs as it were. An exhilirating day none of us will forget!