'Lenny' the new Beneteau First 44 Performance Yacht arrives Sydney Harbour
by Flagstaff Marine 22 Oct 2023 05:26 NZDT
'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.