Fujifilm has announced their sponsorship of Alex Bennett’s new Class 40. Although the yacht which was built in Totnes, Devon and launched a couple of weeks ago, the official naming ceremony will take place at Southampton Boat Show on 19 September.

After this Bennett will head straight out to sea to prepare for the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre race – the first major event in his three-year campaign. The 4,000-mile Transat Jacques Vabre race starts in November from Le Havre, France and finishes approximately one month later in Salvador Bahia, Brazil.

Bennett who won the Open 50 division in Transat Jacques Vabre in 2001, and set a new course recor, commented: “The boat went into the water a couple of weeks ago, which was an incredible moment for everyone involved. Fujifilm’s invaluable support has allowed us to give this project the true focus and commitment it deserves. We have a great design of boat and I just can’t wait to get sailing as we certainly have exciting times ahead.”

Fujifilm will be moored at berth 072 at the Southampton Boat Show, Southampton Mayflower Park, on Wednesday 19 September.