Jeanneau Rendezvous 2011 Port Stephens

Each year the Jeanneau owners in NSW get together for a ‘rendezvous’ hosted by the Jeanneau NSW dealer, Performance Boating. In 2010 the venue was the relaxed cruising grounds of Sydney’s Pittwater where the yachts competed in a race around Lion Island before a cocktail party and dinner back at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.

For 2011 the rendezvous was held at Sail Port Stephens where sixteen Jeanneau owners and crew competed in the Commodore’s Cup. Sail Port Stephens has been described as one of the fastest growing regattas in Australia and it is easy to see why. Starting in 2008 the regatta has now become one of the must do events on the sailing calendar.

Gathering off Pittwater on the Saturday a fleet of Jeanneaus, led by Performance Boating dealer Ron Jacobs in a new Sun Odyssey 409, cruised in company up to Port Stephens for three days of racing. The evenings were taken up with cocktail parties and prize giving events culminating in an inaugural ‘Jeanneau long lunch’ after a wine tasting tour of the Hunter Valley.

Race one was held in light breeze within Port Stephens where the yachts had to also deal with the current making things interesting. The Sun Odyssey 36’s ruled in this race taking out the first three places. Eusemere  first, Stella Blue second, and the Sunfast Campeador rounding off the three.

Race two was considerably windier and the yachts were sent offshore for the around the islands race. Gusts of over 20 knots greeted them and the Sun Odysey 42i Joi de Vie took first place followed closely by the 40DS Accountability and Peter Lewis’ Sun Odyssey 37 Lu Lu Belle.

The final race of the Commodore’s Cup saw continuing good wind making sail choice a much discussed topic as the yachts left the marina. Sailing within Nelson Bay the sun shone as the wind dropped and the Sun Odyssey 39i Bandaleni took first place from Joie de Vie with the Sunfast 36 Campeador once again rounding off the top three.