France Australie on Sydney Harbour – Beneteau Cup

by Media Services / Sail-world on 16 Dec 2005 The 13th annual Peugeot Regatta – Beneteau Cup took place on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th November. Racing was held on Sydney Harbour where a fleet of luxury Beneteau yachts, including thoroughbred Firsts, cruising Oceanis, classy Wauquiez Centurions and Pilot Houses competing for great prizes.

The event was co-sponsored by Beneteau/Vicsail and Peugeot Automobiles Australia (Peugeot) and was presented by the French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI). This prestigious two-day sailing regatta was raced from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Rushcutters Bay, Sydney.

The successful partnership of Peugeot and Beneteau continued at this Regatta, welcoming Beneteau owners Australia wide, crews and members of the French and Australian business communities, amounting to over 600 guests. Once again the Regatta’s Commodore was Gretel Killeen, author, celebrity and ‘Big Brother’ television series host. A keen sailor, Ms Killeen will crew aboard a boat and act as master of ceremonies and present prizes to the winners.

The Beneteau Cup – Peugeot Regatta is the grand finale of the Australian Beneteau calendar. It followed an Autumn and Spring Point 7 Regatta (for Beneteau Firsts), and a sun-filled Hamilton Island campaign for over 40 Beneteau cruisers and racers for the of the Beneteau calendar in Australia

The first day of the regatta was dedicated to owners and their crew. In the morning the competitors were treated to a breakfast – brunch. With a jazz band playing and the crowd in full swing, the formalities of registration were completed. Two races were held in up to 15 knots of easterly breeze with the First 36.7’s, 40.7’s, 47.7’s racing under IRC and the Oceanis, Wauquiez Centurions and Pilot Houses competing at a more leisurely pace in either spinnaker or non-spinnaker classes.

Because this day was for serious racing, the prizes offered come from many of the premier sailing industry suppliers. These include suppliers who are responsible for the commissioning and maintenance of Beneteau boats arriving from France.

The second day (Friday) – ‘France Australie Day’ - was a real party! This was a more relaxed racing day with only one afternoon race in non-spinnaker division. Beneteau owners shared the day’s racing by hosting members of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce aboard their boats.

Keeping in line with the ‘party’ aspect of the day, prizes were provided by co-sponsor Peugeot and various prominent French and Australian companies. A holiday for two to New Caledonia was the major prize of the two day event.

The Regatta was a colourful, fun event, complete with its competitive racing edge and social atmosphere. Prize presentations, entertainment and dining with a ‘French flair’ were held at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia following each day’s racing.

John Cowpe, Sales Manager at Beneteau/Vicsail commented, ‘It’s not just about the racing, of course that is very important, but it’s also about the party atmosphere that goes with it.

‘The .7’s had some very tight racing on the first day with plenty of action and a healthy dose of competitive spirit. It’s the first time we have had an IRC class at this regatta and it worked out very well with all the owners enjoying the close competition. Some of the mark roundings had up to 15 boats going around at the same time.’

Ray Harris, winner of the Beneteau Cup for 2005 and Third in the IRC division purchased his first Beneteau, a 36.7, about 18 months after learning to sail his first yacht. Pretty soon Ray had been bitten buy the racing bug and went from sailing the non-spinnaker division to spinnaker point score at Middle Harbour Yacht Club. Ray’s efforts on the race track were soon noticed and written up in the M.H.Y.C magazine as, ‘Honeysuckle is starting to go well now that Ray Harris has cut out his port starts.’ And so he did…go well that is.

Ray took delivery of a new Beneteau 40.7 in late 1997, the second Honeysuckle and the second 40.7 in Australia. From there Ray went on to win the Gilliwa Shield at M.H.Y.C and was competitive below Fruit Machine and Smile with other well sailed yachts, even beating Michael Spies from time to time. Ray raced the 40.7 extensively for 4 years until he picked up the new 47.7 in September 2002. The current Honeysuckle, a Beneteau 44.7, was delivered mid September 2005.

Ray went on to outline his yacht racing philosophy, ‘To seek and find good crew and where necessary develop them. We must also gel as a friendly team; some of us have sailed together for 11 years. Never hand the helm to a professional to win a regatta. Never demote a regular team member and replace with a professional to win a regatta. Encourage crew that winning as a team against sometimes stacked odds is the most rewarding. Trust that really good sailors in our team help me to improve. Race to win but don’t lose perspective.’

Sail-world asked Ray, ‘why is the Beneteau first range your choice of yacht?’ Ray replied that it is a combination of looks and performance, ‘I am attracted to the fit out below, it is light and not too stodgy. Some may call it French design flair. Beneteau also provides value with dual purpose yachts, offering good performance and creature comforts. Vicsail provide a well run franchise that has provided the back up one needs from time to time and good change over figures when moving to a new yacht.

‘The Beneteau Regattas are great fun and press you against similar yachts that in most cases are very well sailed. The four Honeysuckles have competed in eight or nine of these regattas. The regattas are also a showcase for the new yacht you may be considering. To top this off the Beneteau First owners that I know are almost always committed competitors and nice guys to have a drink with, who share in my overall satisfaction. Well designed yachts overall and often very competitive in a mixed fleet. My sort of racing.’

For more information on the Beneteau range visit www.vicsail.com

Results:

IRC Division

1st, Bushranger, First 40.7, Gerry Hatton
2nd, Le Billet, First 44.7, Bill Ebsary
3rd, Honeysuckle, First 44.7, Ray Harris
4th, Cloud IX, First 36.7, Howard Piggott
5th, Big Kahuna, First 53f5, Dean Harrigan
6th, You’re Hired, First 47.7, Geoff Morgan

Spinnaker Division

1st, Magique, First 45F5, Chris Macsorly
2nd, Yandoo, First 35S5, John Formosa
3rd, Kioni, First 47.7, Nick Athineos
4th, Trieste, First 47.7, Peter Versi
5th, Lumina Vitae, Centurion 45s, Brendan Hunt
6th, Velocity, First 31.7, Hugh Torode

Non-Spinnaker Division

1st, Outside Chance, First 40.7, Barry Elsbury
2nd, Morning Mist, Oceanis 390, Paul Melling
3rd, Vivacite, First 44.7, John Walton
4th, Callista, First 40.7, Tim Flahvin
5th, Second Chance, First 42S7, Fred Elderton
6th, It’s Only Monet, Oceanis 393, Brian Boggs