With the help of his wife, 10-year-old son and an assortment of friends and neighbours Eddie Broadbent and his First 44.7 put in some top performances to take the Bénéteau Cup at the weekend (19-21 August) at Cowes, despite owning the boat for only a month.

The event was no picnic however, at least not for Class A, where the high level of competition was closely fought by the likes of double Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson, helming the girls’ team Kiribilli Sheilas and aided by Volvo Ocean Race sailor Emma Westmacott. Their First 47.7, owned by Lynne Flynn, was not just a rock star winner, but a training platform for promising female sailors who have already performed well at youth and small boat events. Kirribililli achieved line honours in several races but her scores were not quite adequate to take the podium. That honour went to Nick Jones’s First 40.7 Tarka achieved two firsts and two seconds to become the Class A winner.

Sixty boats, all built by Bénéteau competed in the three-day event in the three classes, each catering for different levels of sailing. While Class A fought hard at top level, Class B could operate under a little less stress and Class C enjoyed a Treasure Hunt as well as some white sail racing. Class C winner was the Mummery family in their First 31 Fruition.

The event is renowned for the balance of its racing, ably organised by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and Ancasta Boat Sales, and its social programme which included the spectacular Dubarry-sponsored Space Odyssey Ball, and the Raymarine Tea party where all manner of cakes were piled high. Race days were sponsored by UK Sails, City Living and SailTime.

Overall Results

Class A

1 Water Venture, Eddie Broadbent 44.7

2 Tarka, Nick Jones 40.7

3 LoveShack, Tim Spalding and Gareth Lloyd Jones 40.7

Class A

1 Tarka, Nick Jones 40.7

2 Love Shack, Tim Spalding and Gareth Lloyd Jones 40.7

3 Grand Cru II, Robin Dollar 40.7

Class B

1 Water Venture, Eddie Broadbent 44.7

2 Paragon, Dawson Penn First 51

3 Sweet Pea, Gerald Shelley First 33.7

Class C

1 Fruition, Steven Mummery First 31.7

2 Avalon, Martin Alexander Oceanis 343

3 Sunbow II, Simon Russell First 31.7