by Mick Gwilliams
Rear Commodore, Port Douglas Yacht Club

Race 5 of the 2011 Poseidon Sailaway Club Championship Summer Series presented challenging conditions for the eight competitors that came to the start.

A general recall at the first start was due to the late arrival to the line of Tau Ceti from buoy laying duty. This proved to be a stroke of good fortune for Magic after having fouled Port FM Mais Oui at the start and was in the process of taking a penalty turn when the recall was announced.

As the race got underway in fairly light air with flat seas and blue sky, Port FM Mais Oui took advantage of the conditions more suited to the smaller yacht and bolted to a commanding lead.

However that was all to change as the weather closed in. The winds picked up and the swell began to lift and by the second leg Magic and Ann Sea had both managed to pass their smaller rival.

An approaching storm from the South East lifted the winds over 20 knots and the driving rain made visibility very difficult.  Three yachts, Karragun, Ice and Indigo all retired leaving Tau Ceti, Whitecap, Port FM Mais Oui, Ann Sea and Magic to brave the elements.

The bright yellow top mark became almost impossible to find as the churning sea and the driving rain had the skippers steering on instinct and unable to see their opponents other than the occasional blur of a white sail against the backdrop of grey cloud and rain.

After Magic crossed the line first corrected time gave the win to Ann Sea followed by Magic, Port FM Mais Oui, Whitecap and Tau Ceti.

Race 6 on 26 March will determine if Ann Sea can hold on to her series lead to be the 2011 Summer Series Champion.