Two brand new FIRST 40s, TWO TRUE and WICKED took the two first places overall under IRC division in the 628 miles Sydney-Hobart Race.
They completed the course (between Sydney Harbour and Hobart in Tasmania) in 3 days and 23 hours.
Only 20 minutes separated these two FIRST 40s on the finish line.
They finished two hours ahead of their third rival on corrected time. TWO TRUE also came first overall in the ORCI class.
The FIRST 40 takes over therefore from the prestigious FIRST 40.7, which had taken the honours in 2003 on the same course.
It is an historic occasion to see two identical FIRST 40s taking the first two places in a competition that brings together such a varied fleet from 100 foot super-maxis to 33 foot sailing yachts in this 64th Sydney-Hobart Race.
Andrew Saies first comments :
“Great boat, this new Beneteau. It just jumps out of the water, jumped a bit too hard in the last day or so in those big short waves. It’s a fast boat, we had belief that this boat was going to rate well and do okay in this event, if the weather conditions allowed a small boat event.”
In the Cruising category, the OCEANIS 50 HOLY COW claimed first place ahead of another BENETEAU, the OCEANIS 37LIVEWIRE.
Well done to all these crews, and you will find full details on the BENETEAU YACHT CLUB site very shortly.
6 NEW BOATS TO BE LAUNCHED AT THE PARIS BOAT SHOW:
OCEANIS 58
Aft platform space like you’ve never seen before! 2.65 by 1.35 metres! Swimming, sunbathing (in deck chairs, if you like), dinghy storage…
the possibilities are infinite! The arch frees the cockpit from all the mainsail control lines, which are led back to the helm positions. Sailing is easier
and suddenly the cockpit has much more space in which to enjoy life. The Oceanis 58 also offers real blue water cruising solutions like the arch/davit
for solar panels and wind generators and large-capacity tanks.
ANTARES 6.80
Along the same lines as the new Antares out board : 5.80 and 7.50, the Antares 6.80 perfectly replaces the Antares 650 : more living space and more comfort on board with its 3 leafs window, more performance with a new certified hull up to 115 hp.
ANTARES 30S S
The Antares 30 S keeps the qualities of the Antares 30, without the flybridge.
Dedicated to a cruising program, you enter the large Antares range at a good price either with 260 hp or 380 hp.
ANTARES 42
An Antares has never offered such a large living space ! Designed for cruising with the family, the Antarès 42 offers larger volume : saloon with vis-à-vis, large Flybridge, 2 cabins, 2 washrooms, a convertible saloon for 6 berths…on one of the most efficient hull on the market.
MONTECARLO 42
This new model equipped with the Z drive (2×370 hp), with an air-step hull and a Joystick, a guarantee of performance, comfort, sensations &
manoeuvrability. Pierangelo Andréani , the designer of MonteCarlo range has created a new jewel : style, elegance, and … large living space. Dedicated to sport cruising the MC42 offers tremendous volumes, a rare comfort, in a very popular size…42 feet for less than 4m wide.
SWIFT TRAWLER 34S
The Swift Trawler 34S, with a 330 hp engine, has the same size as the ST34, with the same volumes, the fly is just replaced by a large roof, and an