British yachtsman Alex Bennett today announced a new yachting campaign supported by a sponsorship deal with the Graphic Systems division of Fujifilm UK.

The sponsorship deal involves the construction of a new racing yacht to compete in major oceanic shorthanded races such as the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre and Single-handed Transatlantic race in 2009. The new yacht is being designed by the Owen Clarke Design Group specifically to conform to the new French Class 40.

The state of the art 40ft yacht is being built in the United Kingdom in the West-Country and will take to the water in June 2007 in preparation for an exciting three year campaign.

Thirty-year-old Bennett from the West County won the Open 50 division of the Transat Jacques Vabre race in 2001, setting a new course record in the process which he still retains. Bennett also competed in the Solo Mini Transatlantic race, achieving the best British Result in the 20-year history of the event finishing 5th out of 88 competitors. Most recently he competed in the Oryx Quest Round the World Race on board the 120ft maxi Catamaran Cheyenne.

Commenting on his new project Bennett said: “Things are going great. We are now three months into the construction of the new boat. Fujifilm’s backing and support means we can now give this project the true focus and commitment it deserves. We have a great design of boat here and it’s taking shape day by day. I just can’t wait to get sailing again as we certainly have exciting times ahead.”