Sunsail Racing launch the all-new F40
by Simon Conder, Sunsail 12 Apr 2011 00:12 PDT
6 April 2011
On Wednesday 6th April 2011 at the Sunsail and Garmin European Press Event, 11 of the 42 new F40s competed on the Solent to give press and partners the chance to experience the thrill of yacht racing in the world’s largest matched charter fleet.
First place went to yacht 4026 hosting French media representatives and French Olympic Laser Sailor Jean Baptiste Bernaz. The winning team was presented with a Garmin nuvi 2240 and Chatham shoes.
Anthony Chmarny, Public Relations Manager for Garmin said; “We are thrilled to be working with Sunsail and delighted the sail pilot GHP 12 plus additional elements of our integrated electronics system are onboard the new fleet of Sunsail F40s. This event is the first of many and Garmin are pleased to be able to enhance the experience of the many people who we hope to be sailing the new F40s”.
A glorious, sunny day on the Solent (with highs of 18 degrees Celsius) and with light morning breezes of just 2-4 knots meant the first race was a test of boat handling and light wind tactics. Early afternoon wind increased to10 knots and allowed the crews to really experience the speed and performance these racer/cruisers offer.
Simon Conder, Head of Marketing for Sunsail said; “It was great to have such a mixture of novices and experienced sailors able to experience a variety of conditions and see what these boats and Sunsail Racing are all about. We created Sunsail Racing with exactly what this event offered, allowing people of all sailing ability to experience competitive racing and a sport that we at Sunsail, are so passionate about”.
Simon added “It was great to have support of all our partners, including Garmin, Gill, Sail4Cancer and Chatham, as well as to launch our new venture and partnership with the Lanzarote and Isla Canarias Tourist Boards, which will see us developing a completely new winter sailing programme based in the Canaries in Winter 2011/12”.
The launch of the partnership with Isla Canarias and Lanzarote Tourist Boards see’s 27 of the F40’s branded with the Tourist Board Logo’s on the hulls, sails and flags. With the aim to increase the awareness of Lanzarote and Canary Islands as a European sports destination, whilst raising the profile of these beautiful islands as a great choice for sailors from the UK and Europe.
For more details on the Yacht Racing programme log onto www.sunsail.co.uk/yacht-racing
For more information on Garmin and the whole range of their marine electronics please visit www.garmin.co.uk