HONG KONG NEWS

BENETEAU OWNERS’ EVENING A CELEBRATION OF SAILING PASSION

Beneteau and Simpson Marine hosted an Owners’ Evening at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) on 19 May, giving owners a chance to share their sailing stories and passion for the yachting lifestyle.

Thibaut de Montvalon, Managing Director of Beneteau Group Asia and David Walder, Simpson Marine’s Senior Yacht Broker, shared news of Beneteau’s latest yacht models and the builder’s vision for the future.

The event gave Simpson Marine and the shipyard the opportunity to gather some valuable feedback from Beneteau owners while enjoying the camaraderie of valued clients and sailing enthusiasts.

Beneteau Flyer 6 and Antares 42 on display

BUYERS MAKE GOLD COAST BOAT SHOW 2015 MEMORABLE

The 2015 Gold Coast Boat Show was one of the most successful shows in recent memory, with enthusiastic crowds, cooperative weather and a stunning array of yachts producing record sales for Simpson Marine.

The show attracted many families who were curious to learn more about Asia’s yachting lifestyle. Simpson Marine displayed seven yachts at the show, held at the the Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club from 1 to 3 May.

“Simpson Marine has been a proud participant in the Gold Coast Boat Show for many years, but this was the best one yet. Excellent organisation, good crowds and cooperative weather made it a very pleasurable and successful event,” said Mike Simpson, Managing Director of Simpson Marine.

FOUR PEAKS RACE DRAWS RECORD ENTRIES

The 31st edition Four Peaks Race hosted by the Aberdeen Boat Club, which combines sailing and hill running, took place from 31 January to 1 February, with a record 40 yachts entering the classic multi-sport challenge.

As the title sponsor of the event and Beneteau’s exclusive dealer, Simpson Marine was proud to see seven Beneteaus on the starting line, marking the biggest presence of the brand in the race’s history. Simpson Marine has made a three-year title sponsorship commitment to The Beneteau winners of division A “Tipsy Easy”

Four Peaks Race, starting with the 2015 edition.

The race delivered it’s traditional mix of weather, from stiff breezes to dead calm, with runners battling to the top of Hong Kong’s iconic peaks throughout the night. Prize giving took place at the Aberdeen Boat Club on February 6.

Mark Russell, Group GM of Simpson Marine,

presented the Beneteau Awards to the 1 st

(Beneteau First 50) and “Banter” (Beneteau First 31.7) from division B.

“Whiskey Jack” won the IRC Division A1 for the fourth time, with “Ramrod” won HKPN Division A2. “Darling” was first on corrected time in HKPN Division A2 and Javelin (J/80) won HKPN Division B.

AROUND THE ISLAND RACE

As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations Simpson Marine joined forces with Beneteau as sponsors of the ‘Around the Island Race 2014’ in Victoria Harbour on 16 November.

As the exclusive Beneteau dealer in Hong Kong, Simpson Marine was proud to see the large number of Beneteau sailing yachts racing. Ranging from the 7m Beneteau Platu, to the fast First 50’s, the French yachts gave their opponents some strong competition.

The IRC class had several Beneteaus with three First 34.7’s; Calamansi, Goddess and Lady Butterfly on the roster. Kei Lun, a First 45.5 driven by skipper Geer Sonnemans, First 35 Amaze with owner Eric Yueng and Leon Chan’s First 50, Tipsy Easy were a few of the boats to demonstrate the Beneteau First series’ dominance in this competitive big boat class.

MONTE CARLO 5 HANDOVER TO NEW OWNER

The first Beneteau Monte Carlo 5 in Hong Kong

FIRST MC5 LAUNCHED IN HONG KONG

The first Beneteau MC5 in Hong Kong has been handed over to her delighted new owner at the Aberdeen Boat Club. Senior Broker Eric Chan, several Simpson Marine staff and members of the press turned out for the handover. The ceremony included Eastern customs of prayer and a roast suckling pig, as well as the Western tradition of a bottle of Champagne across the bow. The new owner, Jack, was introduced to Simpson Marine by a friend, who has owned several boats. With his children growing older it was time for Jack to enjoy some time on the water. The family of four needed a yacht that was big enough to accommodate them and their guests, but it was the MC5’s unique styling that really caught the attention of her new skipper, who owns a manufacturing plant on the mainland. Whether it’s a cruise with the family or entertaining friends and colleagues, the MC5 meets all of Jack’s needs and, as the first of her kind in Hong Kong, she turns heads wherever she goes. The new owner broke a Champagne bottle across her bow Traditional Chinese Baishun ceremony with a roast suckling pig