by Mick Gwilliams
Rear Commodore, Port Douglas Yacht Club 

The Port Douglas Yacht Club Championship Spring Series continued on Saturday with Heat 3.

The fleet enjoyed some excellent sailing conditions in the moderate swell and a steady 12 to 15 knot breeze. Ann Sea took the early lead closely followed by Ice and White Cap as the boats beat towards the windward mark.

Close quarter action ensued as the skippers fought for buoy room but with White Cap unable to make the rounding. The required corrective manoeuvre allowed Ann Sea to advance clear ahead and Ice to gain from astern.

The course was three laps of a one nautical mile beat to windward, and by the second rounding of the top mark White Cap had fought off the challenge from Ice but was struggling to regain the lost ground given to Ann Sea.

Tactical manoeuvres by Ice paid off on the third beat, and with the downwind legs in her favour it meant White Cap had to go for boat speed with a reach to the finish as her plan of attack.

However Ann Sea, although only seconds ahead, held on to the lead taking line honours in a close finish from Ice then White Cap.

Corrected times did not change the final positions and Ann Sea tightened her grip on the series with three straight wins now to her credit.

The eight race Spring Series continues this Sunday and with the club always keen to invite visiting yachties and interested locals to take part, contact the club for your chance to sail.