Beneteau Figaro 3 Achieves Amazing Results at Rolex China Sea Race 2023

We are pleased to share Beneteau Figaro 3, led by the Simpson Marine Beneteau team – Philippe and Cosmas Grelon, took double-handed 1st place and IRC Overall 2nd place at Rolex China Sea Race 2023. They were the 5th in Line honours and reached a top speed of 21 knots!

Hosted by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, this prestigious sailing event kicked off on April 5th, 2023 at the iconic Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong after a 5-year absence. As the first offshore race in Hong Kong since 2019, 18 boats participated for the coveted Rolex trophy and among which, 14 teams are based in Hong Kong, three from the Philippines and one from mainland China.

Apart from the Beneteau Figaro 3 (FB3) led by the father and son team, two more Beneteau boats, a First 40 CR and a Sense 46, were racing in the same competition.

Starting from Victoria Harbour, through the South China Sea, to a finish in Subic Bay, the Philippines, the race is definitely a testament for the sailing skills, teamwork spirits, as well as perseverance to tackle the ever-changing conditions in South China Sea, covering 565 nautical miles.

Cosmas, currently working as Beneteau Sales Manager at Simpson Marine Hong Kong, started sailing at a young age with his father and has participated in many sailing competitions. This is actually the second time for him to join this event with his father again.

With this experience, it surely brought advantages to the duo. This time, they had made extensive preparations and practised MOB drills before the race in order to give the best performance of the FB3 for the competition.

Their efforts finally paid off! The team finished sailing in 94h 47m 10s, taking double-handed 1st place and IRC Overall 2nd place at Rolex China Sea Race 2023.

Congratulations to the father and son team and the invincible Beneteau Figaro 3!

“The Figaro 3 is an absolute machine. We were flying downwind. It was the most exhilarating sailing I’ve done in years!”. – Cosmas Grelon

As the world’s first production foiling monohull, the Beneteau Figaro 3 is designed by world-renowned naval architectural firm VPLP, equipped with a higher-performing ballast-free hull, a more slender and deeper keel, a setback mast, and a more extensive and larger sail plan. With a lighter weight, she is easy to handle with a fast acceleration and speed.

After the race, the Beneteau Figaro 3 sailed back to Hong Kong for an open day event hosted by Simpson Marine and is still available for viewings so please feel free to contact us for sea trial or enquires.