Balance is the fourth yacht of that name skippered and owned by money media commentator Paul Clitheroe.  The new boat is a Beneteau 45, previously raced with great success in Europe as Lady Courrier.

Lady Courrier had a difficult race to Hobart last year, breaking three spinnakers and tearing her main.  Paul, racing in his fourth Rolex Sydney Hobart, hopes to arrive in Constitution Dock with his new sails intact.  Balance had a strong start in her first regatta, winning overall honours in IRC Passage at the 2009 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week with four seconds and a first.

Name Balance Race name Balance Launch year 2008 Sail number 7771 Owner Paul Clitheroe Skipper Paul Clitheroe Crew S Collibee, D. Keddie, J. Ward, T. Dillon, M. Balsom, B. McRae, J. Neuhaus, A. Cribb, G. Parker, J. Close, B. Waters, N. Scott-Perry. Club CYCA State NSW Type Beneteau 45 Designer Briand Builder Beneteau Construction Fibreglass IRC TCC 1.126 LOA 13.68 Beam 4.20 Draft 2.70