The Yachtsman 2017-2018 RPAYC Yachtsman 2016-2017 | Page 50

BENETEAU CUP
BENETEAU PITTWATER CUP 2017 - REFLECTIONS ON A PERFECT DAY
T
here was more than enough going on
at the 2017 Beneteau Pittwater Cup to
keep the mind whirring. A large, 26 boat
fleet for the 16th running of the regatta
meant there were loads of participants
appearing from 0900hrs at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht
Club. For some, it was their first time, and whether they
were owner or crew, they mingled in with the regulars
and seasoned salts with the help of the crew of Flagstaff
Marine/Vicsail Sydney.
There were the usual paperwork items to attend to,
and then breakfast and Champagne were must do items.
Well perhaps a good review of the sailing instructions,
where the course from the Taylors Bay area to up and
around Lion Island, via a little duck into a mark near
Mackerel Beach. There were four starts with a few of the
fleet away in the first, and then the bulk using the third
and final starts to begin their odyssey for the day.
Now if you had been on the water a little after midday
on Saturday, you would not have let yourself think that
there would be any racing for a long time, but the first two
divisions did get away on time, just. Shortly thereafter,
and as Division 3 struggled to even make the line, let
alone cross it, the Answering pennant was hoisted, and a
20 minute delay ensued.
Well done to Race Management, for it was a brave
call at about 1245hrs to send them off, but their courage
was met with conviction, and the ride North improved as
the afternoon wore on.
The most curious of thoughts arrived, for you would
not have contemplated that dispersed throughout the
fleet of Beneteaus were accomplished Volvo Ocean
Race stars, Sydney to Hobart legends, 18 foot Skiff
Champions and also relatives of sailors about to
commence the 35th edition of the America’s Cup.
Yet there they were helping new owners master their
boats, and ensuring all were safe and happy. That is
certainly one magnificent achievement for the traditional
Beneteau regatta on Pittwater.
In the case of Greg Newton, he was helming his
Oceanis 45 Antipodes of Sydney. He and the boats crew
had a ball in their Hawaiian shirts, and also kicked on as
that breeze filled, with their kite propelling them to a win
in the prized Spinnaker Division.
The jury is out as to whether they had more fun than
Newton’s son, Sam, who is one of the many Australians
involved the America’s Cup. Newton, the younger, is on
board Oracle Team USA with James Spithill and Tom
Slingsby, and whilst Antipodes of Sydney did a lot of
work to get their win, it is more than likely that those
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YACHTSMAN
involved in the AC will have to put in a bit more if they
are to emulate Antipodes success.
Richard Fleck’s, Scuffy, was in second place. It is so
named for a tugboat character in a children’s book from
Fleck’s earliest years. On the day it certainly was a case
of the boat that could, and the entire crew were very
chuffed with their efforts. Third place went to long time
participant, Bob Batchelor and the crew of Beau Soleil.
In the Non-Spinnaker Division, Kevin Gray and
the crew of Eau de Vie were thoroughly ecstatic with
their win. Second place went to Bob Swan and the crew
on Elusive Spirit, with the never say die crew on Elara
claiming third. The latter simply love their sailing, as
can be seen from the image taken at presentation, where
the co-owners of Flagstaff Marine, Graham Raspass
and Micah Lane, where handing over the trophies
with Graham Raspass and the entire Flagstaff Marine-
Beneteau team receiving a huge round of applause from
the entire gathering for putting on another well-run and
enjoyable event. Shortly thereafter, the dance floor got
packed, and even more gifts were handed out for the best
moves. These added to all the ones awarded as lucky
door prizes, and skipper’s only awards.
Raspass commented, “It was fantastic to have friendly
competition between those boats coming up from Sydney
for their first foray into the vagaries of the wind on
Pittwater, and the long-standing Beneteau owners who
return each year from both here and also places like
Gosford. Quite a few of them have done every single
regatta we have run here.”
“So every year we have three to five new boat owners
getting the chance to participate for the first time, and
that is wonderful. It is great for them to have a race, and
do so as part of such a cohesive and friendly environment.
That initial taste and excitement often leads them on to
exploring the full potential of their boats.”
“It was great tha t such a large fleet of Beneteaus was
able to get around the entire course. Well done to all
our owners for making the commitment to being here.
It is good to have them enjoying themselves and also
pleasing that they comment about how much they have
got from participating.”
“The idea of providing the chance for fellow Beneteau
owners to all congregate and enjoy the camaraderie the
family owned brand is synonymous with is wonderful.
I particularly like how we can have not only similar boats
competing directly against each other, but also boats
both new and old, ranging from one month old to 20
years young, and sizes ranging from 23 to 50 feet, as
well. The smallest boat in the fleet, Mini Bateau a First
235, had their first race today, and also collected a prize.