White Spirit, a comfortable but competitive and fast Beneteau First 50, is a Rolex Sydney Hobart novice. Cyrus Allen, the Commodore of Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, competes in the Club’s offshore events, while he races inshore races with the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown. White Spirit should enjoy racing against the other larger cruiser/racers in the fleet.

In March this year, Allen and his co-skipper, Lillian Stewart, competed in the 5,500 nautical mile Melbourne Osaka Cup. They finished third over the line, sixth overall under AMS (the main scoring category used for Victorian offshore races) and fifth in both ORCi and PHS. Boat and owner are revved up and ready for the 80^th Sydney Hobart.