Beneteau First 36 SE Impresses at ORC Worlds

The Beneteau First 36 SE made an impressive debut at the 4th ORC Double-Handed World Championship in Monfalcone, Italy, finishing on the podium in its maiden race. The 165-mile windward/leeward course was meant as a discovery run for Hull No. 1, with naval designer Samuel Manuard and community member Jure Jerman focusing on familiarizing themselves with the boat.

Despite being a first test rather than a full racing campaign, the First 36 SE showed remarkable pace. The boat finished third, just one minute behind the second-place competitor, in a competitive fleet of 29 boats in ORC Class B.

“It was a wonderful race. Our main goal was to learn more about the boat and her behavior,” said Samuel Manuard. “This is only the beginning, but I’m really pleased with the First 36 SE’s dynamic and speed. Light wind suited her well, and she performed strongly on reaching legs. There is still a lot to refine, especially transitions, but the boat combines cruiser comfort with high-level racing performance.”

Community co-skipper Jure Jerman added, “I’m not a professional sailor, and this fleet was full of serious racers. With the investment we put in, I think we did well. The First 36 SE was extremely competitive in all conditions, and any lost ground was due to our mistakes, not the boat. She deserves all the credit for being fast all around.”

Andraž Michelin, CEO of Seascape and First range manager at Beneteau, highlighted the First 36 SE’s versatility. “This result is amazing. We engaged our First community and borrowed extra sails for the championship. The boat proved itself as a competitive, all-around racer. Moving forward, we plan to work closely with future owners to optimize their racing projects and ensure maximum performance and enjoyment.”

With its Seascape Edition design, the First 36 SE continues Beneteau’s commitment to producing boats that balance performance, accessibility, and comfort, giving sailors a platform that is competitive offshore while still approachable for cruising enthusiasts.

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