by Mick Gwilliams
Rear Commodore, Port Douglas Yacht Club

Seven yachts set sail for Race 1 of the Coral Sea Cup with a course taking in both Low Isles and Snapper Island on Saturday.

2010 winner Ann Sea, aiming to make it four wins in four years, set the pace leading the fleet around the course in under four hours. However, Indigo the only multihull in the event, taking full advantage of her favourite course took pole position on corrected time ahead of Tau Ceti in second with Ann Sea third.

On Sunday Race 2 and Race 3 were both the traditional windward leeward course with two laps of the windward mark one nautical mile into the moderate South East breeze.

Ann Sea and Magic split from the fleet and were locked in a close contest throughout both races as the lead chopped and changed hands.

Ultimately it was the dominance of Ann Sea taking line honours by just five seconds in Race 2, and by thirty three seconds in Race 3 that led to her third successive defence of the Coral Sea Cup with a score of 5 points.

Second overall was Tau Ceti (9) followed by Magic (11), Port FM Mais Oui (12), Indigo and Island Girl (14) and Ice (19).
 
Skipper of Ann Sea Tim Preuss and his crew said they were unaware that the win was their fourth successive claim to the trophy making the victory an extra special celebration.

The yacht racing gave passengers from the visiting cruise liner an unexpected spectacle, especially as the shuttles frequently mingled with the racing yachts.