A First for Beneteau and Vicsail

November is shaping up to be a big month for Beneteau, Vicsail and the Beneteau owners of Australia. In a first for Beneteau, and on behalf of the national Beneteau Dealer Network, Vicsail and the Middle Harbour Yacht Club will host the inaugural Beneteau First 40 National Championships to be held on the 24^th and 25^th of November.

Since inception, the Beneteau First 40 has achieved considerable success including winning the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart, Spi Ouest France, Cowes Week and Voiles de Saint-Tropez. The First 40 National Championships will provide another opportunity for local owners to confirm the racing prowess of this successful marque. Seen as a lead up to the 2012 Rolex Sydney To Hobart, Robbo Robertson and Lunchtime Legend will lead the fleet in close combat with other leading competitors including John Griffin’s Benny and the Jets, Phil Dash and Just a Dash and Howard Piggot with Flying Cloud.

In a coup for Vicsail and Beneteau owners, Beneteau First Product Manager Eric Ingouf will be on hand for the weekend to act as Event Commodore. Eric will also undertake a series of owner briefings and informative sessions, offering his insight into the future of the Beneteau First brand, and answering any questions that Beneteau owners may have about their beloved boat and brand.

“Performance cruising is the basis for the development of the First range. Using this as our development platform, we then incorporate the latest technology and racing enhancements to ensure our First range is at the forefront of ocean racing around the globe”, said Eric. “The First 40 National Championship is a great opportunity for our highly accomplished owners to push our yachts, and their racing skills to the limit to help further refine our growing racing reputation.”

Preceding the First 40 National Championships, the 12^th annual Vicsail Beneteau Cup will take place on Friday the 23^rd of November. A record thirty Beneteau owners and yachts will take to the starting line and this prestigious regatta will definitely be hard fought.

The first entry of the regatta was Robert Swan with Elusive Spirit a Beneteau First 305, followed by the ever entertaining and green machine Holy Cow and owner John Clinton. The peninsula will also be represented once again by Stephen Coleman and Manhattan, Phil Dressler and Czechmate and Thomas Kiman on Moon Raker with a number of Oceanis models also taking part.

Joining the fleet for the first time is the 2011 Sydney to Hobart division winner Darryl Hodgkinson’s Beneteau First 45, Victorie. Rounding out the field will be Queensland’s Lunchtime Legend, before she takes part in the First 40 Nationals and then the Sydney To Hobart.

Registration for the First 40 National Championships and 2012 Vicsail Beneteau Cup close this Friday the 16^th.

For more information about these events visit www.vicsailsydney.com.au/beneteau-cup  or contact Vicsail on 02 9327 2088.