The weekend of Oct 24/25 sees this year’s Spirit Marine French Yacht Challenge and Queensland Beneteau Cup, hosted by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
Now in its 9th year, the event is organised by the Qld Beneteau Owners Group and comprises two passage races over two days in Moreton Bay. The French Yacht Challenge, on Sat 24th is open to all French production boats (Beneteau, Jeanneau, Dufour etc), while the Beneteau yachts combine their results from the Saturday race with those from a second, Sunday race for the Queensland Beneteau Cup.
Racing is conducted in two divisions – Cruising and Performance, with the emphasis on fun on the water combined with social activities ashore. Support from loyal sponsors enables the awarding of multiple trophies for both events.
French yachts returning south are encouraged to make a stopover at RQYS for the weekend racing, with RQYS providing holding berths for entrants over the regatta weekend.
Jane Virtue, Secretary of the QBOG and regatta organiser commented “Over nine years the regatta has grown to become one of the major social regattas on the Moreton Bay racing calendar. In past years we have welcomed entries from yachts returning south from the Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Magnetic Island Race Weeks, and we look forward to showing visitors the excellent facilities at the RQYS marina and new clubhouse.”
With up to thirty entrants, the two division and passage race format provides a level of competition for both experienced and novice crews, and entrants are encouraged to adopt the French flavour of the weekend by dressing both themselves and their yachts in a French style, with a special trophy being awarded for the best dressed crew.
Regatta details are available at www.rqys.com.au or from jane.virtue@bigpond.com
