For Immediate Release

July 7, 2006

Marion, SC...Four Stars, won the IRC rating rule section of the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division in the Newport to Bermuda race 2006.

Four Stars, a First 44.7 owned by Tim McAdams, entered the recent Newport Bermuda race for the first time this year. Sponsored by the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, on June 16th a record-breaking fleet of 264 yachts set off for Bermuda in this centennial race. The Newport Bermuda Race is one of the most interesting and challenging ocean courses anywhere and is 635 nautical miles.

"The Bermuda Race is the pre-eminent distance race on the East Coast and has been for 100 years," said Gary Jobson, honorary chairman of the 2006 race who has competed in the race seven times…. "It’s a feather in every sailor’s cap to have done the race, and many consider the Lighthouse Trophy the most coveted trophy in distance racing. It’s no small feat getting to Bermuda, and the reward itself is being there on that friendly, subtropical island out in the Atlantic Ocean."

While the afternoon breeze sent the boats off with good boat speed, a light air race was predicted overall and gave navigators a true test as boats moved through the tricky currents of the Gulf Stream.

"We knew this was a good reaching boat. We set out to be competitive. It was a two year program and we felt we could do well, but to win it all is beyond our expectations", said McAdams from Brewster MA. Peter Henderson, his bowman added "We sailed on a track close to everyone else but for the smaller boats there were a lot of restarts in this race, as the bigger boats got ahead, they then sailed into a hole, the smaller boats caught up, and the re-start gave us the edge. We all felt we had a good chance of winning and sailed as well as we could. We all wanted this win."

This race showed once again the fantastic all around performance of the Farr designed First 44.7. "We continue to be surprised at how well she handles in all conditions. It was a thrilling race and this is a very exciting win for me and my crew," said Tim McAdams. Winners were presented their trophies by the Princess Royal, Princess Ann, President of the Royal Yachting Association.

In addition to their success in the Newport to Bermuda race, Four Stars was also a winner at the 152nd NYYC Annual Regatta where they placed 1st in their class.

For more information on the Beneteau First 44.7 visit www.beneteauusa.com

Beneteau USA, the American division of the world’s largest sailboat manufacturer, builds hundreds of 32-47 foot production sailboats, as well as the Swift Trawler 42, in Marion, SC and imports sailing yachts up to 57 feet in length from its parent company in France. The boats are sold through a network of over 40 dealers from the north in Alaska to the southern tip of Chile.

Erika Gay
Marketing Manager
Beneteau USA
(843)629-530

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