Rydge from the Middle harbour yacht Club expressed his experience to gain a clear wind start which paved the way for him to dictate the tactics as the fleet settled into the first windward beat.
When spinnakers were set Rydge and sail handler Geoff Lange had control of the lead while being pressed by the equally impressive Brisbane skipper Adrian Finglas.
These two combinations sailed a match race at the head of the fleet enjoying the oppportunity to sail in clear wind while the balance of the fleet failed to match the pace of the leaders when they were forced to race in disturbed wind and water.
While Rydge and crew mate Lange excelled to give an indicaiton of their speed for tomorrows opening heat of the Australian championship there were several other crews including dual World Champions Chris and Darren Nicholson who failed to show their tru form.
The four times World champion Krister Bergstrom of Sweden was another who elected to show some form early but withdrew before the first triangle was completed.
Bergstrom had good boat speed sailing in close compnay with the leaders Rydge and Finglas before he pulled off the course to use tht time for an important sail evaluation for tomorrows open Australian Championship heat.
Another skipper to impress was Townsville's Junior Australian champion Brett Whitbread who was not disgraced in this standard to finish 13th.