August 22, 2006

Chicago Yacht Club-2006 Verve Cup Offshore Regat

Chicago Yacht Club’s 2006 Verve Cup Offshore Regatta held August 18-20th was the venue for the Lake Michigan introduction of the new Beneteau First 10R by Farr Yacht Design.

The Verve Cup attracts over 250 boats and 2500 sailors from around North America and served as the perfect setting to introduce the latest performance racer/cruiser from Beneteau. The First 10R joined her larger siblings, the 15 boat First 36.7 Fleet and the 12 boat First 40.7 fleet for a three day weekend of racing which brought a broad range of sailing conditions. The Verve Cup has traditionally been a race of windward/leeward racing, however this year marked the first time a distance course was introduced on Saturday of the event.

Hull #1 (manufactured in Marion, South Carolina) was delivered in just enough time for the Karma Yacht Sales, LLC staff to prepare her for the regatta. With help from Harken USA and Doyle Sails - Chicago - it was not long before First 10R- Hull #1 was ready to take on the competition.

The First 10R was campaigned under the name Hot Lips by Steve & Ross Mash (former owners of the First 40.7 of the same name). The crew consisted of Steve Mash, Ross Mash, Jeremy Mash, Rob Gibson, Mark Ploch and Evan Jahn.

Hot Lips competed in the eight boat PHRF section 6. The section contained a long list of worthy competitors with waterline lengths that greatly exceeded Hot Lip’s 28’8”LWL dimensions. PHRF section 6 was comprised of a C&C 115, two (2) Shock 35’s, an SR 33, two (2) Beneteau First 42s7’s, and a Columbia 30. Wind/sea conditions ranged from flat water/very light wind to moderate chop/20+knot gusts on Sunday of the race. Hot Lips confidently delivered 3 firsts and 2 second place finishes to win the section overall by 5 pts.!

For More Info on the First 10R’s Results Visit<<<