A Beneteau for all Seasons

by Helen Taylor on 9 Mar 2006 Howard Piggott and his crack young crew aboard Cloud IX, a Beneteau First 36.7, have won the Audi car, the principal prize of the inaugural Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta conducted from Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

But before they could drive away with the hotly contested car, Cloud IX had to win IRC Division 3, which they did superbly along with other Beneteau winners and contenders throughout the IRC and PHS Divisions.

Howard, a true sailor and gentleman has enjoyed a successful sailing career that started when he won the Australian 12ft Cadet Dinghy Championship at the age of 17 in Tasmania. Numerous Championships and State Titles in the International Dragon Class Yachts and the Tasmanian Etchell Fleet cemented his standing in the sailing world.

Moving to Sydney in 1997, Howard continued sailing Etchells at the CYCA and in 1999 purchased his first Beneteau, True North, a First 40.7 which he sailed in style to many successes. The winning highlights of True North’s career include the CYCA Short Offshore Point Score in IMS and IRC Divisions in 2001, 2003 and 2004, the RSYS Milson Cup, Gascoigne Cup IMS and IRC and the Foudroyant Shield.

Cloud IX is the second Beneteau for Howard and he will take delivery of his third Beneteau in July this year when the First, Beneteau First 34.7 is launched at Sydney International Boat Show.

The Beneteau Statistics for the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta are:

IRC – Div 2
Winner Sirromet Lifestyle Wines – First 44.7
David Beak/Michael Spies)
2nd Honeysuckle – First 44.7 – Ray Harris
5th Prime Time – First 44.7 – David Mason
12th Le Billet – First 44.7 – Bill Ebsary
15th Pretty Fly II – First 47.7 – Colin & Gladys Woods

IRC – Div 3
Winner Cloud IX – First 36.7 – Howard Piggott
6th Jackie Claire – First 36.7 – Geoff Davidson
8th Farr N’ Away – First 40.7 – David Lee

PHS – Div 1
2nd Imagination – First 47.7 – Robin & Annette Hawthorn
7th Talon – First 42s7 – Alan Kendall

Div 2
12th Morning Mist – Paul Melling – Oceanis 390

Div 3
6th Velocity – First 31.7 – Hugh Torode
10th Larramie – First 325 – Jack Stenning

The Beneteau Yacht is indeed proving itself to be a boat for all seasons and lifestyles.

With successes in the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta, the recent Blue Water Point Score, RSYS Milson Cup, Sailing South Week, numerous Hamilton Island Race Weeks, the competitive BMW Winter Series and the Rolex Sydney to Hobart, Australian owners are reassured in the knowledge that a cruiser/racer can deliver the silver and still sail away to a weekend or holiday destination in the comfort and luxury they have come to expect and demand from a well built yacht.

When you think of Beneteau you breathe and feel the ‘Esprit de la mer depuis 1884’.

For more information please telephone Vicsail Pty Ltd, 02 9327 2088