With a record number of entries, organisers of this year’s Exemplar Clipper Cup are predicting the strongest year yet for competitors with the majority of contingents coming from outside the region.

Port Douglas Yacht Club commodore Colin Simpson said the attractive prize pool of $8,000 was drawing competitors from across the region including Townsville and Cairns.

“The Exemplar Clipper Cup is fast becoming one of Tropical North Queensland’s premier yachting event,” he said.

This year, the fleet has four divisions with two racing keel boat divisions, a Multihull division and a Sports boat/J24 division.

“With 22 boats already entered and on many days all divisions starting together, it should make for interesting, exciting starts," Mr Simpson said.

“A huge size difference between boats like the high speed catamarans to the tiny but very manoeuvrable J24s juggling for position on the start line will make for a great spectacle.”

Due to tidal influences, this year’s regatta has been moved forward with the competition to officially start on Tuesday, May 14.

However, Mr Simpson said those on Four Mile Beach on Saturday, May 18 for Port Douglas Carnivale’s annual beach day would have one of the best vantages of the regatta with two races to be held off the beach on that day.

“This is the final day and will provide some close racing with the spinnaker legs running towards the beach,” he added.

Dusty Mussel the modified Farr 11.6 is back from Townsville and the ever popular Sydney 32 Groove from Cairns will both be racing in Division 1 against local boats Ann Sea, Shazam and Ice.

Radio Port Douglas Mais Oui will also be fighting it out with the two well-sailed J24’s Kaizen 2 and Death Star, while the speedsters of the monohull fleet the sports boats have the Cairns boat, Ketchup and Townsville Stealth against Port's own, And Then.”

For more information, contact Doug Ryan on 0417 794 875.