by Mick Gwilliams
Rear Commodore, Port Douglas Yacht Club

Race 3 of the Poseidon Sailaway Club Championship Winter Series had six yachts competing in excellent conditions as Doug Ryan on Magic pulled off another great start closely followed by Ice and Ann Sea.

Series leader Port FM Mais Oui failed to get the start required and had plenty of work to do to make up lost ground. The moderate breeze proved sufficient for three laps of the course and several individual contests emerged as the fleet battled against the clock.

Magic led from start to finish crossing in 01:35:53 and although the prestige of crossing the line first carries the most satisfaction rarely does it get the best result when fleet racing on a performance handicap basis.

Magic’s handicap gave a seven second per minute start to both second placed Ice and fourth placed Port FM Mais Oui. Similarly T break crossing fifth gave five seconds per minute to Indigo crossing sixth.

As the crews returned to the clubhouse to await the final outcome of the computed results each pondered whether their race time would steal a position from their rivals or succumb to a nudge down the ladder.

Final results put Magic in third denied second place just three seconds behind Port FM Mais Oui with Helen and Mick Gwilliams on Ice the winners by over two minutes. Ann Sea held fourth with Indigo taking fifth four minutes ahead of T Break.

The win allowed Ice to jump ahead of Ann Sea on the series ladder into third with Magic retaining second and Port FM Mais Oui holding first.

This Saturday PDYC is holding the Keith Quinn Memorial Fun Race inviting people to come and try sailing similar to the regular Wednesday night WAGS only this time there will be a course laid and the yachts will be racing.

At the end of the month the club is holding the Two Island Sail and Run, a unique event that includes swimming and running and most skippers are on the lookout for a competitive athlete to join their crew.

To get involved contact Port Douglas Yacht Club.