by Mick Gwilliams
Rear Commodore, Port Douglas Yacht Club

Athleticism and seamanship combine to produce Port Douglas Yacht Club's unique Two Island Sail and Run.

Six yachts, six athletes, and approximately 18nm sailing, 300m swimming and 3.5km running were the ingredients for the spectacle that is fast becoming a favourite on the club calendar.

The fleet split into two divisions starting fifteen minutes apart for the sail out to Low Isles. With plenty at stake, including eight cash prizes and five trophies, Division 2 got away to a flying start on a twenty knot wind leaving Division 1 to struggle from their start as the breeze eased to just six knots.

The wind lifted as the yachts converged on Low Island. First athlete into the water was Julia off Tau Ceti swimming ashore for the 465 metre sprint around the island followed by Mel from Indigo and Christian from Magic.

Julia returned to Tau Ceti six minutes ahead of Christian but Magic was able to turn that around arriving at Four Mile five minutes ahead of Tau Ceti. Meanwhile Grant from Ice recorded the fastest time around Low Isles of just 9min:25sec to claim the Low Isles Lap Trophy.

The athletes held the key to the final positions as the marathon sprint to the finish at the yacht club unfolded.

Nick from Ann Sea ran a ground breaking 15min:17sec to claim the Beach Sprint Trophy 5min:19sec ahead of his nearest rival taking the coveted title of top athlete for the combined stages.

Line honours went to Magic with Christian the first athlete to cross the finish line followed by Julia (Tau Ceti), Nick (Ann Sea), Grant (Ice), Dave (Port FM Mais Oui) and Mel (Indigo).

Division 1 handicap winner was Magic ahead of Ann Sea and Ice with Tau Ceti taking out Division 2 from Port FM Mais Oui and Indigo. Magic’s course time of 03:22:31 not quite enough to beat the course record of 03:07:00 set by Magic in 2010.