Beneteau’s new First 36 SE (Seascape Edition) surprised the world of offshore racing by finishing her maiden race on the podium at the ORC Double-Handed World Championships in Monfalcone, Italy last week. The race proved to be a 165-mile long windward/leeward course, which naturally wouldn't suit this kind of design. But even from the blocks she showed impressive VMG speeds — finishing in third place, just one minute behind the 2nd, in an extremely competitive fleet of 29 boats from the ORC group Class B. “It was a wonderful race,” Manuard said. This race was a great test, and it’s only a starting point for her.”For more on the First 36 SE, get in touch with James Kirwan, group sales manager for Beneteau’s Irish agents BJ Marine, at [email protected].