Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

'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

International Moth Worlds begin this weekend
Pre-Worlds are under way at Malcesine From 6 to 13 July 2025, the 2025 Moth World Championship officially gets under way, hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine and preceded by the Pre-Worlds on 4 and 5 July. The event marks the culmination of three weeks entirely dedicated to foiling. Posted today at 4:44 pm
K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted today at 3:37 pm
PredictWind to show new race tracker in August
The Ocean Race joins with PredictWind as Official Tracking and Weather Services Supplier The Ocean Race, often described as the toughest test of a team in sport and widely recognised as a leader in impactful ocean health initiatives, and PredictWind, a global leader in marine weather forecasting, are collaborating on a new race tracker. Posted today at 7:48 am
2025 Transat Café L'OR is packed with surprises
73 boats sailed by 146 co-skippers will set sail on October 26th 73 boats sailed by 146 co-skippers will set sail on October 26th on the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandy. Posted today at 7:20 am
The Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue is back at sea
Peter Burling joining the team for the Rolex Fastnet Race After a refit that began in March, the Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue was relaunched this Thursday, July 3. Lined up for the months ahead is an exciting race programme, culminating this year with the Transat Café L'Or in October. Posted today at 5:14 am
Transpac's Middle fleet sets off for Diamond Head
Seventeen boats begin the 2,225-mile Pacific Crossing in light air conditions Seventeen boats begin the 2,225-mile Pacific Crossing in light air conditions in Transpac's second start. Posted today at 2:39 am
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D4
High stakes for semi-finalists as the final four teams in each division are locked in The third day of racing at GKSS Match Cup Sweden saw the completion of the quarter-final match-ups in both the Open and Women's class, locking in the final four teams in each division for Friday's semi-finals. Posted on 3 Jul
2025 29er Europeans at Lake Garda Day 1
Five teams tied at the top Ikke Huber / Liam Berger (Switzerland) lead the charge after sweeping all 3 races in the Green fleet — an impressive perfect score of 2 points. Lucas & Moritz Hamm, the dynamic twin duo from Germany, matched their Swiss rivals with consistency and pace. Posted on 3 Jul
Onboard reporters in the Course des Caps
Enjoying the challenge of bringing the race to life In the Course des Caps - Boulogne sur Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, the Onboard Reporters, or OBRs, are back doing a wonderful job of bringing IMOCA racing to life with pictures, videos, interviews and reports from the boats. Posted on 3 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 2
Consistent American Magic Quantum Racing move clear ahead American Magic Quantum Racing stepped three points clear at the top of the 2025 Rolex TP52 World Championship leaderboard today in Cascais, Portugal on the strength of a first and third from two breezy races. Posted on 3 Jul
Sea Sure 2025PredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 BOTTOMHyde Sails 2024 - One Design