Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 1

'Lenny' the new Beneteau First 44 Performance Yacht arrives Sydney Harbour

by Flagstaff Marine 21 Oct 2023 09:26 PDT

'Lenny' the new Beneteau First 44 Performance Yacht sailed into Sydney Harbour at sunrise this morning.

The 6th Beneteau First 44 Performance launched, Lenny's maiden race was the world famous Transpac from California to Hawaii, which she finished 2nd in her division. She has now cruised from Hawaii through the South Pacific to Sydney in order to compete in the 2023 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, on the 26th of December.

The first of her kind into Australia, Lenny is the full performance version of the all new Beneteau First 44 designed by Roberto Biscontini and Lorenzo Argento. She has the performance keel, extended carbon bow sprit, taller carbon mast and Harken racing deck package with 8 winches. Add to this a Harken hydraulic backstay and vang, Victron lithium battery bank with smart inverter/charger, the industry leading B&G Hercules H5000 instrument package, Starlink and Iridium Go communication systems, plus a full suite of North racing sails. There are plenty of other features such as a Spectra watermaker, hydrogenator and all the subtle luxury cruising features you would expect on a brand new, 3 cabin, Beneteau First sailing yacht.

The new First 44 is a spectacular new addition to the famous Beneteau First line of yachts, and once again shows why Beneteau First has been the world's most popular cruiser racer since 1977. The new First 44 'Lenny' is a proven blue water racing machine, which as well as being a very comfortable cruising yacht is a joy to sail, spend time on board and to look at.

'Lenny' will reside at the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia where she has been kindly welcomed by the club for her preparation for the race. Her owner Charles-Etienne Devanneaux is an experienced ocean racer and owner of the Californian Beneteau dealership Naos Yachts. He will be joined in the race by a talented French crew with plenty of ocean racing experience and Groupe Beneteau Chief Brands & communication officer, Yann Masselot.

Her first race on Australian water will be the Beneteau Cup next Friday the 27th of October out of the CYCA Rushcuttters Bay and we look forward to seeing her racing in more events in the lead up to the 78th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

She is available to inspect by appointment with the team at Flagstaff Marine.

Related Articles

Melges24 NA SailingSeries launches with Midwinters
The stage is set for three fun days of racing on Tampa Bay The 2025 Melges 24 North American Sailing Series (NASS) kicks off in spectacular style at the Midwinter Championship, held in conjunction with the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - St. Petersburg. Posted today at 6:12 pm
29er Eurocup Series at RCN Valencia Preview
86 boats set to start racing on Thursday The Eurocup Series 29er 2025, as part of the 10th Comunitat Valenciana Olympic Week, is starting a new journey at the Real Club Náutico de Valencia. Posted today at 5:15 pm
Newport Bermuda Race Live Seminars
Biggest takeaways and lessons learned from 2024 incidents Kicking off our 2026 Race Prep Seminar Series, a panel will reflect on the key incidents from the 2024 Bermuda Race, with insights into what went right, what went wrong, and how lessons learned can improve safety, preparation, and performance for 2026. Posted today at 4:46 pm
2025 Rolex Fastnet Race - winners return
For this special edition, the RORC has reintroduced its once premier event, the Admiral's Cup For 2025, the Royal Ocean Racing Club celebrates both its own centenary and that of the Rolex Fastnet Race, the race upon which it was founded. Posted today at 3:42 pm
The stage is set for 2025 29er Asian Championship
Taking place from 12th to 16th February Incorporated into Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week 2025 and co-organised by the Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China, Royal Hong Kong YC and the International 29 Class, 2025 29er Asian Championship will take place from 12th to 16th February. Posted today at 2:26 pm
IRC Rating open for 2025
The IRC rating system will remain largely unchanged for 2025. Applications are open for 2025 IRC Rating and the IRC Rating Authority (RORC Rating Office and UNCL, Pôle Course du YCF) have already issued certificates to over 650 northern hemisphere boats for the new season. Posted today at 12:57 pm
Globe 580 Transat makes waves with record run
McIntyre Mini Globe set to make history! Third running of the 2025 Globe 580 Transat: Thrills, Spills, and Plenty of High-Seas Shenanigans in record time! Woop Woop! Posted today at 9:13 am
18ft Skiffs build up to the 'Big One'
Less than one month to go before the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship With less than one month to go before the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship is contested on Sydney Harbour, from March 8-16, next Sunday's Australian 18 Footers League Club Championship race is critical to the build-up for all teams from the League's fl Posted today at 6:34 am
Women's WMRT announces 2025 season
Over 150 women match racing sailors are expected to compete this year The Women's World Match Racing Tour has announced its 2025 schedule of six events in four countries featuring events in the USA, France, Sweden and Bermuda. Posted today at 5:48 am
Henri-Lloyd supports Team Solan for Transat Paprec
The pair are setting their sights on success in the prestigious race Henri-Lloyd has been announced as the Official Technical Clothing partner for Team Solan Ocean Racing. Posted on 11 Feb
Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTERVaikobi 2024 DecemberRooster SB1 Inshore Range