12 May 2009
Guernsey will be hoping for re-run of last year’s success at the 2009 Kleinwort Benson Yacht Challenge.
Taking place on Saturday 27 June, this year’s race will start in Jersey at the St Helier Yacht Club line by La Collette, and finish in Guernsey at the Guernsey Yacht Club Castle Cornet line.
Heralded as one of the biggest sporting events in the Channel Islands the 26 nautical mile long race is organised by the Guernsey Yacht Club, in conjunction with St Helier Yacht Club, and attracts more than 100 boats.
Now in its 45th year, the Challenge has certainly gathered a loyal following and Kleinwort Benson is proud to have been associated with the race for 11 of those years.
Primarily made up of Guernsey and Jersey yachts, the race does occasionally attract competitors from the UK and France. However it is the good, old Guernsey/Jersey rivalry that keeps the spirit of friendly competition alive, especially within the Kleinwort Benson Team Trophy category.
Last year saw a strong performance from the Guernsey contingent
Winners of the Kleinwort Benson Yacht Challenge Trophy, "Mad Cap", skippered by Guernseyman Jamie Hamilton, had a comfortable victory, crossing the St Helier Yacht Club line with a seven minute lead on handicap over nearest rivals, Simon Henning’s "Alice 2".
Mad Cap’s performance also helped to lead the Guernsey Yacht Club to a strong victory in the Kleinwort Benson Team Trophy, which
teams made up of three yachts from any club affiliated to any National Authority can compete for.
The winning boat was followed in by another Guernsey boat, Alice 2, and White Rabbit was the island’s next best in seventh position.
Their positional total of 10 saw them finish six clear of their nearest rivals from Jersey.
"We’ve been doing the Challenge for 20 years and never won it before, so we were delighted with last year’s result. We got the lead very near the start and had it for the rest of the race," said Hamilton, skipper of last year’s winners, Mad Cap.
However with performance in the Challenge so dependant on weather conditions it would be difficult to make predictions for this year’s race results.
"Ideal conditions would be good wind, maybe a force four or five and some sun thrown in for good measure," said Adam Reed, Rear Commodore (Sail) at the Guernsey Yacht Club, and organiser of the Kleinwort Benson Yacht Challenge.
"We certainly don’t want a re-run of 2007 where there was virtually no wind at all, making it a frustrating event for competitors and spectators alike. That said, whatever the weather we always have a great turn out from both islands and, unsurprisingly, the post-race party is also very well supported whichever island it takes place."
This year the Kleinwort Benson Yacht Challenge will finish with a Post Race BBQ and Party at the Guernsey Yacht Club, complete with live music from local bands, GU10 and The Tracy Barlows.
Chief Executive Officer of Kleinwort Benson, Robert Taylor, said: "We are proud with our association with the Yacht Challenge. Not only is this race a highlight in the ChannelIsland sailing calendar, it is also a highlight for Kleinwort Benson. In previous years the Challenge has been a great success and I am sure this year will be no exception – let’s hope the weather conditions on the day are just right."
The Kleinwort Benson Yacht Challenge is open to members of all yacht clubs in the Channel Islands. Visiting yachtsmen are invited to compete and will be made temporary members of the Guernsey Yacht Club.
The 2009 Kleinwort Benson Yacht Challenge will take place on Saturday 27 June, starting in Jersey at 10am. The first boats are expected in Guernsey around mid-afternoon. The Post Race BBQ and Party will take place from 6pm at the Guernsey Yacht Club. Tickets are £10 (covering food and first drink) and available from the Guernsey and St Helier Yacht Clubs.
For further information please contact Adam Reed on 01481 725342 or go to www.kleinwortbenson.com/yachtchallenge for entry details.
- Ends -
Notes to editor:
The trophies awarded during the Post Race Party are:
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First (trophy), second, third, fourth and fifth overall
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First and second bilge keel
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First long keel
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First family crewed
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Young skipper
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First multihull
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First Melges 24
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First (trophy), second and third IRC class
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First, second and third non-IRC class
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First Beneteau class boat on CI handicap (trophy).
Media enquiries:
Kleinwort Benson Rachel Sauvage +44 (0) 1481 752581
+44 (0) 7781 402302
Rachel Butler +44 (0) 20 3207 7239
+44 (0) 7957 427066
Phoenix
Gordon Puckey +44 (0) 20 7947 2856
Notes to Editors:
About Kleinwort Benson
Kleinwort Benson is one of the most historic names in UK banking with roots dating back to the 1850s. Kleinwort Benson is the brand name of Kleinwort Benson Private Bank Limited (established in 1962 from the merger of Kleinwort Sons & Co and Robert Benson & Co) and its subsidiaries. It is registered in England at 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7PG. Registration number 2056420. It is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange. It operates throughout the UK from a principal office in London and branches in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Leeds Manchester, and Newbury.
Kleinwort Benson is also the brand name of Kleinwort Benson Channel Islands Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries. It is registered in Guernsey at Dorey Court, AdmiralPark, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 3BG. Registration number 24786. It operates in the Channel Islands through its principal subsidiaries which are regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission and the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
Kleinwort Benson is a member of Commerzbank Group.
This information is issued by Kleinwort Benson for the information of the addressee only. Kleinwort Benson as issuer shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of failure to update information, transmission errors or communications breakdown. Past performance cannot be taken as a guide to future returns and, in particular, investors may not get back the amount originally invested. The references to tax are based on Kleinwort Benson’s understanding of the current law and UK Revenue and Custom treatment, which can change under future legislation.