Following a string of early overseas race successes, the new Beneteau First 45 racked up two division wins at the recent Hamilton Island Race week. In the IRC Premier Passage Division, Blue Water streeted the rest of the field, winning all but one race!
Graham Jones and his team did a wonderful job in adapting quickly to the new boat and exploiting its strengths.

Another brand-new First 45, Honeysuckle, owned by Ray Harris, won IRC Grand Prix Division Two after a tussle that saw the boat go into the last race one point in arrears.

Suffice to say it s a dream way to release a new boat and the boys and girls at Vicsail Sydney could hardly wipe the smiles of their faces when I arrived to experience the First 45 for my self.

Ray Harris kindly offered to loan his boat  for the test and joined us, along with one of his regular crew. Two young Vicsail crew did the foredeck work. Me? What do you think? I was on the twin wheels.

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