The mass invasion of Jeanneau yachts has been one of the highlights of Sail Port Stephens, especially in the Bannisters Port Stephens Commodores Cup where they represented almost 20 per cent of the 100-strong fleet.
While they competed with the main divisions, there was always a race within a race as the Jeanneau Trophy Series went up for grabs. The owners and crews had an absolute ball off the water as well.
Overall honours went to Martin Mahoney’s Jeanneau 39 Toucan from the Sun Fast 32 Chaos Theory, owned by Karl Nielsen, and the non-spinnaker entry Beyond Cool, a 51-footer skippered by Mark Clement from Lake Macquarie.
Showing how close it was, only 15 points separated the top 10 boats – with six yachts tying with another. Dealer Lee Condell, from Pittwater-based Performance Boating, helmed the beautiful new 440 sun Odyssey Samphire II into 15thplace on PHS.
‘It was an absolute pleasure to see so many Jeanneau yachts sailing at one regatta,” said Sail Port Stephens regatta director Jennie Hughes. “The crews seemed to have a ball, both sailing and socialising, and we’d love to see them all back next year.”
FINAL RESULTS
- Toucan – Martin Mahoney 18
- Chaos Theory – Karl Nielsen 23
- Beyond Cool – Mark Clement 24
- Xena – Toni Fox 27
- Midnight’s Promise – Peter Graham 27
- Elysium – John De Meur 30
- Minnow – Les Pongrass 31
- Unruffled – Peter Mackinnon/John Ellis 32
- Macscap – Peter McClelland 32
- Buggalugs – Jeremy Clarke 33
- Hector – Bertrand Philippe 40
- Eau Well – William Wade 41
- Savarna – David Sanders 42
- Arietta – Laurie Lash 43
- Samphire II – Lee Condell 43
- 42 South – Bruce Wymond 44
- Nightingail – Charles Stewart 46
- Tana – Pam Joy 49
- Taffy – David Clarke 66