In almost calm conditions eleven yachts contested the Closehaven Cup, race one of the Closehaven Marina Trophy Series with a prize pool of $500 on offer.

A favourite course for many of the crew, the portside rounding of both Low Isles and Snapper Island looked to be an impossibility as the fleet struggled to find the gentle zephyrs that skipped across the start line.

However, as the fleet headed out towards Low Isles the teasing breeze could be seen rippling across the flat sea in intervals indicating the promise of an impending lift as the crews all tried desperately to gain momentum.

With a consistent breeze finally settling in around midday the fleet had reached Low Isles with Shazam, Ice, Awanui and Ann Sea having some distance on their rivals.

Pictured: Ice and Shazam at the start of the 2013 Closehaven Cup.

Spinnakers were raised for the downwind run to Snapper and Casuarina and Indigo soon began to pick up their pace closely followed by Ruff Red, Sea Wizard, T-Break, Miriama and Port FM Mais Oui.

Shazam held the lead rounding Snapper with Awanui moving into second ahead of Ice, and as the afternoon breeze lifted to the forecast 10 to 15 knots the race for the finish was on.

Ann Sea moved into third and as the tail rounded Snapper Indigo was ahead of Casuarina followed by Ruff Red, Sea Wizard and T- Break. Port FM Mais Oui and Miriama retired.

Shazam (05:45:30) held on to take line honours being the only boat to complete the course in under six hours followed by Awanui, Ann Sea, Ice and Casuarina all coming in under seven hours then Indigo, Ruff Red, Sea Wizard and T-Break all just slightly over the seven hour mark.

Handicap corrected times produced a different story as again the lighter conditions showed favour to the smaller boats. Ruff Red (04:08:09) claimed first prize ahead of T-Break (04:12:03) and Awanui (04:41:54) followed by Ice (04:43:54), Sea Wizard (04:46:14), Ann Sea (04:55:11), Casuarina (04:55:47), Indigo (04:58:11) and Shazam (05:45:30).