Seven yachts started Race 3 of the Poseidon Sailaway Summer Series with more than enough very close encounters on the start line.

As several boats manoeuvred to avoid crossing the line early nerves were rattled and a few crew timbers were shivered as the tension of the start line lived up to its reputation.

As the fleet got underway Tau Ceti took a surprise lead powering up under full sail in the light breeze.

Magic flying her code zero took the widest tack and appeared to be making up the extra ground with superior boat speed but as the fleet converged on the top mark Tau Ceti held on to her lead rounding ahead of Magic and new series entrant Sea Wizard.

Colourful spinnakers were hoisted for the downwind run but Magic managed to take the lead as Big Ears and Ice battled for fourth position ahead of Miriama and Ruff Red.

Magic began to break clear from Tau Ceti and Sea Wizard on the second leg and Big Ears took advantage of mistakes on Ice while Miriama kept her distance from Ruff Red.

On the final leg Magic was almost seventeen minutes ahead of Tau Ceti as she crossed first to take line honours in 02:02:02 and seventy minutes ahead of Ruff Red finishing seventh.

With handicap corrected times dramatically narrowing the time difference and a matter of minutes and seconds separating the contenders victory went to Tau Ceti followed by Big Ears and Sea Wizard, then Miriama, Magic, Ice and Ruff Red.

In the absence of Ann Sea the day's racing puts Magic (8) on top of the leader board followed by Ann Sea (12), Tau Ceti (13), Big Ears (15), Ice (17), Miriama (18), Sea Wizard (21) and Ruff Red (23).

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