by Mick Gwilliams
Rear Commodore, Port Douglas Yacht Club

Eight yachts came to the start for the single division open class Closehaven Cup on Saturday.

The fleet included Groove (Belinda Cooper) visiting from Cairns Yacht Club and new addition to the local fleet Island Girl (Leon Paul).

The early morning land breeze gave way to the forecast south easterly right on cue and the fleet beat into the breeze rounding the windward mark before reaching to Low Isles.

Groove was first to round closely followed by Magic and Port FM Mais Oui moved into third passing Ann Sea. The fleet began to spread as the yachts raced towards the northern shores of the Isles.

Magic took the lead from Groove and Ice made up ground moving to third as Ann Sea reclaimed her lead over Port Fm Mais Oui. Island Girl, Tau Ceti and Indigo followed.

Magic was first around Low and led the field down to the final buoy rounding as spinnakers  were set to take advantage of the shifting easterlies.

Groove, only a boat length behind Magic, powered up on rounding the mark and the visitors took the lead on the final downwind run to the finish claiming line honours with a time of 4:23:10.

Second over was Magic (4:24:50) with Ice third (4:40:44) followed by Ann Sea, Port FM Mais Oui, Island Girl, Tau Ceti and indigo.

Corrected times brought the top six boats within 11 minutes of each other. Groove was edged out to third and Magic second by the 2011 Closehaven Cup handicap winners Mick and Helen Gwilliams on Ice.