inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard from Lejen Marine were keenly snapped up .
Cassie Starr from Newport ’ s 100 % Gluten Free Café ( one of Sydney ’ s first ) was part of that second group and she commented , “ Being so close to all the local marinas and looking after all of them when they come in it just seemed like the next step was to sponsor an event and here we are at my first . Up until a short while ago I had not been sailing , so the whole experience has just been marvellous and when Graham ( Raspass ) from Beneteau came into the café one day , I enquired about it all .”
However , apart from the Beneteau brand itself , there are always two winners - one from each of the divisions . Showing the cleanest set of heels on the day and eclipsing smaller and far lighter vessels in the process was the First 40 , Alibi . They certainly did not need one for any of their efforts , which were entirely first class all the way , as the stayed ahead of the First 40.7 Bombolo , and then also the First 44.7 Galileo for the entire journey , to take out the Spinnaker Division .
Alibi ’ s Skipper , Barry Jackson , said after the win , “ It is really great to go back to back , following on from our win in the Performance Handicap Division at Sail Port Stephens . We had a terrible start , coming in at the wrong end of the line , where there was no wind , but we managed to pick our way along the Western shore and passed a lot of boats .”
“ We had some great crew work and the boat is amazing . The First 40 has won a lot of events here in Australia and around the world . We had a terrific day out there and there was a fantastic spirit amongst our fellow competitors too . A well-organised event indeed !”
Now Alibi ’ s crew average 65 years of age , which they hate to admit . “ Yes , there is one number that is bigger thankfully , and that is our 140 % headsail that we get to use in these sort of non-IRC events . Other First 40s have subsequently purchased one too . In the light breeze and with flat water you can really power the boat up . With the shrouds a little inboard on these boats you can still get a good sheeting angle ( with barberhauler ) and the extra power is really great .”
“ It has been referred to by others as their ‘ Barry sail ’, so maybe shrewd old age can have one over youth and exuberance . We ’ ll have to go to the Sydney Harbour regatta and see how we go there ”, said Jackson of the triple crown .
Now when you buy a boat you no doubt have a lot of expectations . When you took delivery of it only a few hours beforehand and it is your Maiden sail , winning may not have been top of your list . Getting around safely and without damage would have been much clearer in your mind . Yet this would be the way it worked out for Kim Bangle ’ s Oceanis 38 , Dancing with the Wind , which collected the non-Spinnaker prize ahead of the Oceanis 45 L ’ oiseau , and then the First 42S7 , Trecento .
Commenting afterwards , Bangle said of the win , “ Thank you . It is just amazing and a little strange , even unbelievable . I started sailing two to three years ago , loved it , and went on to do a leg of the Clipper Race after that . On returning I thought that might have been too big a step to begin with , so got my Skipper ’ s ticket and sailed J24s for while .”
“ Last year I went to a Beneteau regatta and learned about the SailTime ownership experience , which made sense to me , for I cannot use the boat the whole time . It is a lot like property and rentals , which I understand , so in combination with my desire to practise my skills and have fun I found myself the owner of this wonderful boat .”
“ As for the name , well I love my Rock n ’ Roll dancing , so the boat just had to have some reference to that and here we are . We ’ ll definitely be having a good time dancing tonight after such a great day and beginning to my first Skipper experience . We don ’ t have to prove anything anymore , but we ’ ll certainly be out there having fun , which is our priority . Thank you to my crew and for making it all happen ”, said Bangle .
So in wrapping up , Flagstaff Marine ’ s Graham Raspass said , “ Today ’ s regatta was marked by the number of new boats and new competitors , along with all the wonderful owners and crews that have been participating for years . Some of the Skippers are on their second or third boat now , but today we had so many of the past and present range of First and Oceanis craft all competing and enjoying the day .”
“ Additionally , it meant that whilst we ranged from 31 to 50 feet today , we had multiple 35s , 38s , 40s and 45s all able to benchmark themselves against their direct opposition . That was just great and they really loved that .”
“ For anyone wanting to see the range of Beneteau boats first hand , we ’ ll have nine boats on display at the Sydney International Boat Show ( July 28 to August 1 , 2016 ). Two powerboats will be joined by seven sailboats , including the brand new Oceanis 41.1 and the first Australian viewing of the Oceanis 60 , which is quite awesome and a truly luxurious vessel .”
Raspass finished by saying , “ Please also remember our 25th Anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Beneteau Cup , which is on Friday November 25 , 2016 . Love to see you all there !”
Written by John Curnow
CLUB YACHTING
YACHTSMAN 39