The Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta Won by a Beneteau Again - 06-06-2007
A magnificent lightning performance of Sunday night could have been an omen to all Divisional Winners of the 2007 Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta to rethink their driver selection for the wet track at Eastern Creek on Monday.
The unique concept of ‘wet and dry’ racing – sailing and tactical car driving, appears to be a combination that suits Beneteau owners and their crew.
Monday dawned grey and very wet but that did not diminish the building anticipation in the Vicsail office as we checked the score board for possible chances at the big one. There were 3 Beneteau winners (and numerous placings) out of the 21 Divisions. That only gave us a 14.28% chance of pulling off a double coup, after the inaugural Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta in 2006 was won by Howard Piggott & Cloud IX, a Beneteau First 36.7.
And the winner is …. Alan Kendal and ‘Talon’, a 1997 Beneteau First 42s7.
One could argue that the boats are, well, good! And very suited to Regatta racing, which they are, but there has to be an element of truth in such statements and there is.
Last week I wrote a piece relating to the longevity of the Beneteau marque and their owners.
This thought is justified with the latest win for Alan Kendal and the Beneteau family. The First 42s7 was first splashed in 1994 and is one of the iconic Beneteau models with Bruce Farr and Phillipe Starck directing the design team.
‘Talon’ landed in Australia in 1997. With his junior years spent sailing dinghies, Alan confessed that he went into the party boats soon after and ‘Talon’ is no different. The perfect sailing scenario for him is to race for 1 hour and party for 4! ‘Talon’ was purchased in 2002 and has had a mixed sailing programme for the last 5 years with the same crew, competing at Hamilton Island Race Week, twilights, winter series and Beneteau Regattas.
About the Sydney Harbour Regatta, Alan would like to thank Audi and Middle Harbour Yacht Club for bringing Hamilton Is. Race Week to Sydney Harbour.
The other winners?
IRC Div 2 – 1st, Bill Ebsary - Le Billet (F 44.7); 2nd, Ray Harris – Honeysuckle (F 44.7); IRC Div 4 – 3rd, Howard Piggott – Brilliant (F34.7). Just in from South Australia, amended results from Port Lincoln Race Week: Dick Fidock & ‘As Good As it Gets’ – First 40.7 is the Overall Winner of Port Lincoln Race Week, defeating Geoff Boettcher and ‘Hardy’s Secret Mens Business’ for the title.
Apparently Geoff has asked Dick when he is going to retire! Formidable!
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