With a very unsettled forecast and a challenging delivery up from Sydney it was terrific to have ten Jeanneau yachts competing at the Commodore’s Cup part of the sail Port Stephens regatta on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of April within division 2 of the regatta. Eight different models were taking part, so a diverse selection and across the range and les Pongras’s SO409 started strongly with a win in race 1, followed by the MEN syndicate on the SO439 “Unruffled” and Peter McClelland on the well-seasoned Sun Fast 37 “Macscap” in reasonable breezy and gusty conditions in a race that took the fleet around the inner bay. Race 2 was a little less breezy, though a rain squall mid race had a few Spinnakers flailing. “Unruffled” triumphed with Michael Groves Sun Odyssey 379 2nd and “Minnow” 3rd.
After the race Performance Boating hosted a function in the roof-top apartment over the D’Albora marina building, kindly made available to us by the organisers and 60 or so crew attended a fun evening with food organised by Peter Lewis and prepared by a crew that we kidnapped from another brand of yacht! Prizes were donated by Harken and Doyle sails and we thank them for their support. For members of the Jeanneau Australia owners association the food was free, while a modest fee was charged for non-members. Drinks for all and members food was sponsored by PBS.
Race 3 was the trickiest with the breeze becoming a glass out on the start while the S ‘Easter died and a temporary N ‘Easter tried to fill in. Yachts struggled to find the breeze until it suddenly filled back in much stronger than forecast with gusts to 18 knots and the reaching legs were fast and exciting. Peter Lewis and the team on “Lulu Belle” sailed strongly all day to win on his Sun Odyssey 37, with “Macscap” 2nd and Ben Spannenberg on his SO409 3rd.
Jeanneau overall results:
1st “Macscap” Sun Fast 37 Peter McClelland MHYC
2nd “Unruffled” Sun Odyssey 439 M.E.N syndicate RPAYC
3rd “Lu Belle” Sun Odyssey 37 Peter Lewis MHYC
4th “Minnow” Sun Odyssey 409 Les Pongrass CYCA
5th “Agrovation” Sun Odyssey 379 Michael Groves GFS
As always everyone thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the event, which is a must for crews looking for some fun racing at a great venue that is easy to get to with lots of very reasonably priced accommodation.
Put it in your diary for next year and note that marina space needs to be booked approximately 6 months in advance as the event is booked out early. We hope to see at least 15 Jeanneau’s next year, as we will be putting up a challenge Trophy for the twenty or more Sun Odyssey 349’s that will be in NSW next season!
