Bénéteau launches new FIRST 30

26/07/2010

Bénéteau is launching the new FIRST 30, designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, well known from the America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race. The technical fine-tuning will be supervised by a sailor with an unique list of victories to his name, Michel Desjoyeaux, skipper of the monohull Foncia. The boat boasts all the characteristic qualities of comfort of a Bénéteau, yet its rig is innovative for a racer-cruiser: a swept back mast, a fathead mainsail and no backstay. The special rig incorporates a set of sails developed by North Sails.

Safe and comfotable
Created by Bénéteau thirty years ago, the First range still shows immense vitality. Designed to cruise, the First makes no concessions to safety on board and the choice of materials and manufacturing processes using the latest technology make it possible to combine durability, lightness and ergonomics. The stern transom, cockpit, deck and the fitting layout are especially studied to make sailing safer and moving about easier and more comfortable for the crew. In the choice of equipment favour there is a preference for boat manoeuvrability and ease of handling.

History of the First 30
In 1977, André Bénéteau decided to purchase the plans of a half-tonner, "L’Impensable", winner of the Half-Ton-Cup in 1973, designed by André Mauric. He asked André Mauric to modify the stern bustle to improve the balance. That was Bénéteau’s first entrance into the world of competitive sailing. The meeting of these two men led to the production of a fast sailing boat. Voted Boat of the Year in 1978, it was designated support boat for the Tour de France sailing races between 1979 and 1981.

Source: teamfirst30.com & beneteau.com

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