Eight yachts set sail in the first round of the eight race Closehaven Marina Trophy Series with a course rounding Low Isles and Snapper Island that proved to be one of the closest fought contests in recent times.

Magic and Ann Sea set the pace pulling away from Ice and Tau Ceti with newcomer Ian Overell on Winkali in hot pursuit followed by Port FM Mais Oui, Miriama and T-Break.

The gentle SE breeze provided a comfortable reach on the first leg to Low and as the boats turned towards Snapper spinnakers were hoisted for the downwind run.

Magic was first to round both islands with Ann Sea on her tail and the rest of the fleet not far behind.

The afternoon breeze lifted with gusts up to 20 knots as Magic crossed the line first in 04:19:04 followed by Ann Sea (04:31:03) and Tau Ceti (04:51:50).

However, the freshening breeze lifted the hopes of the tail coming home with stronger wind for the remainder of the race.

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With an average elapsed time of 04:57:54 handicap corrected times narrowed the difference in elapsed time of the fleet from 01:15:11 to just 00:10:19.

The first three boats on handicap and four crew members drawn from the fleet shared in an innovative prize pool of $500 credit to spend at the Yacht Club courtesy of race sponsor John Morris and Closehaven Marina.

On corrected times T-Break (03:18:53) claimed the Closehaven Cup trophy ahead of Miriama (03:21:35) and Magic (03:22:04). Fourth was Port FM Mais Oui (03:23:10) then Tau Ceti (03:24:17), Ann Sea (03:27:21), Winkali (03:27:59) and Ice (03:29:13).

The Closehaven Marina Trophy Series continues on April 21 with the Keith Quinn Memorial Trophy Fun Race.