Press Release
27-09-2007: A surgeon’s eye for detail pays dividends as Bénéteau 40.7, Love Shack achieves record results
Orthapaedic surgeon Tim Spalding doesn’t have much spare time to indulge in sailing, his favourite sport. When he does get onto the water, he wants a boat that will satisfy him both as a family sailor and a top racer. For this reason, he chose the Bénéteau 40.7, buying his first boat through Ancasta two years ago. In 2007, he took delivery of his new Bénéteau 40.7 Love Shack from Ancasta, and has achieved record results winning his class and the whole of Black Group at Skandia Life Cowes Week, becoming Overall IRC National Champion, and most recently winning the Little Britain Cup, racing as corporately sponsored Amey Love Shack.
“The Bénéteau 40.7 is the ideal boat for us,“ explains Tim. “We wanted a boat that we could sail as a family, and one that would also seamlessly become a top competitive racing yacht when we get the team on board. With its one design status we get excellent class racing, and her handicap means we are also competitive in events such as the IRC.”
Tim says he used his experience gained from his first Bénéteau 40.7 to personalise the set up on Love Shack to make her as competitive as possible. Working with Ancasta, he specified his requirements for their ‘Grand Prix package’ which included upgrades on the sheets, as well as designing the deck layout and pit area to optimise crew performance. Ancasta worked closely with him, adapting the boat to his specific requirements, as well as sourcing the equipment and fitting out the boat prior to delivery.
“Ancasta was very helpful, organising the personalised details which have helped us make Love Shack as competitive as possible,” commented Tim. “But above all, it makes the Bénéteau 40.7 a great boat for a relaxed sail or an out and out race boat!”
A former Etchells and J24 sailor, Tim has built a core crew of seven, who are all friends who enjoy racing together. With Tim on helm, his crew includes tactician Chris Hamel, navigator Chris Hill, trimmer and co-owner Gareth Lloyd-Jones, ‘Flash’ Gordon Bunny on bow, crew boss John Santy and Ian Finlay in pit.
A testament to Tim and his crews’ abilities is that during Cowes Week, they raced with four corporate guests each day from their sponsor Amey. “Some of our guests were top people in the City,” says Tim, “but on board they had to race every bit as hard as the rest of us. And they did. We wouldn’t have won our Group and overall if we didn’t put in the best performance in every race.”
With praise also for his North Sails, Tim says his experience of the Bénéteau 40.7 has made his a firm fan of the brand. He has plans for changing his boat within the next few years, and is happy to work again with Ancasta on that specification. But for now, with surgery to be done, and family commitments to meet, he is just pleased that his choice for 2007 has paid off so well. “When you don’t have much time, you need to enjoy every minute,” says Tim. “This boat allows us to race really hard and get the results, and still have fun family sailing. It’s the perfect boat for everything we want to do.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
• Ancasta is Europe’s largest boat sales network with over 25 years experience. The company is the dealer for Sealine, Bavaria Motor Boats, Bénéteau Yachts, Lagoon Catamarans, Marten Yachts and Rodman Yachts.
• The company has a network of 22 offices in the UK and Europe, which are open seven days a week, staffed by fully qualified ABYA (Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents) trained personnel offering expert advice on all brokerage issues. The company offers a seamless new boat and brokerage service throughout the UK and the Mediterranean.
• Ancasta offers unparalleled after sales service including registration, valeting, servicing, tuition, winterisation services, berthing and maintenance.
• Its brokerage services include a unique database linking all Ancasta offices and matching buyers with sellers, as well a programme of Ancasta New and Used Boat Shows through the year.
For press information, please contact Will Allen, Marketing Manager, Tel +44 (0) 2380 450 008, or email marketing@ancasta.com
For media support; please contact Alice Driscoll or James Tuck, ADPR Ltd, Tel +44 (0)1935 826451 or email alice.driscoll@adpr.co.uk or james.tuck@adpr.co,uk
PR69 September 2007