White Spirit, a 2008 Beneteau First 50 owned by Cyrus Allen and based out of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, has built a reputation as a heavily campaigned and well-prepared offshore racer. Over recent years, the yacht has undertaken an extensive program of coastal and blue-water sailing, logging many thousands of nautical miles across some of Australia’s most demanding offshore events.

Her campaign history includes major ocean races such as the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, the Melbourne–Osaka Cup — a transoceanic race covering more than 5,500 nautical miles — and the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Together, these events represent a wide spectrum of offshore sailing, from prolonged ocean passages to intense coastal endurance racing in variable and often challenging conditions.

This sustained level of offshore activity reflects both the capability of the platform and the depth of preparation invested in the boat. White Spirit has been carefully set up for long-distance racing, with ongoing refinement of sail inventory, deck systems, navigation and safety equipment to support extended passages and competitive offshore performance. Her continued presence in major races underscores her reliability, balance, and versatility as an offshore campaigner.

The Beneteau First 50 itself is a performance-oriented cruiser-racer, combining a powerful hull form with a generous sail plan and a layout suited to both racing and passage making. At approximately 15 metres in length, the design offers strong all-round performance while retaining the interior volume and comfort required for long offshore legs. This balance has made the First 50 a popular choice for sailors looking to campaign seriously offshore without sacrificing cruising capability.

In White Spirit, the First 50 platform has been proven repeatedly — not just as a fast and capable design on paper, but as a yacht able to sustain demanding offshore programs over many seasons and many miles.