with Mick Gwilliams - editor@thenewsport.com.au

Race four and five of the Poseidon Sailaway Club Championship Winter Series produced a surprise result as Tau Ceti claimed handicap honours at the weekend.

Eclipsing all previous efforts to record her first win of the series in race four, the crew pulled off an amazing double to take out first in race five, providing back-to-back wins.

With one race left to complete the series and all boats still able to drop one result, the double win puts Tau Ceti into equal fourth, with Indigo on 17 points but 10 points behind series leader, PortFM Mais Oui.

The club’s J24 managed a third and fourth to retain their lead, despite Magic and Ice closing the gap.

Magic recorded her usual line honours victory in both races, but only managed to hold second and third on handicap, while Ice - with a fourth and second - edged closer to defending the club championship crown.

The steady 14 to 17 knot south easterly breeze, combined with a gentle swell, gave the fleet near-perfect conditions, despite the strong spring tide running throughout the day.

The results from the two races also provided the results of the annual Quicksilver Cup the club traditionally competes for in the August double header.

The combined results for the day’s sailing recorded a resounding win for Tau Ceti on two points (1,1) with Magic second on five points (2,3), followed by Ice 6 (4,2) then Port FM Mais Oui (3, 4), Indigo (5,5) and T Break (6,6).

Yacht racing continues when the Winter Series concludes on August 27, followed by the two-day Coral Sea Cup on September 17 and 18.