Sydney International Boat Show 2007

Renowned French yachtsman Philippe Péché will exhibit at the 2007 Sydney International Boat Show in August through his company International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd.

The 2005 Jules Verne Trophy around the world record holder is representing a range of prestigious European yachting brands including French companies Sparcraft, Karver and Z Spars; German company Blue Water Lights; and his newly-acquired Australian distribution for Italian boat equipment manufacturer, Antal.

Mr Péché has a prestigious yachting career. He has competed in three Round the World races, two America’s Cup, three Admiral’s Cup, three Fastnet Races and holds 12 Metre and 8 Metre World Titles. In 2005, he sailed around the world in a record time of 50 days, 16 hours and 20 minutes and won the prestigious Jules Verne Trophy.

He moved to Australia in 2000 and started his sails’ design and consulting business for multihull racing sail boats, International SAILFORCE in 2001. He worked on international projects such as the 120ft ocean racing catamarans Team Adventure, PlayStation, Orange I and II and 60ft trimaran Foncia. Other clients include 60ft trimaran Bayer and Australian 56ft catamaran Raw Nerve.

“This year I decided to concentrate on importing and developing a comprehensive range of quality products that could be part of a package for an exclusive yacht owner,” said Mr Péché.

He is delighted to showcase new products from Antal in an Australian first at Sydney International Boat Show staged at Darling Harbour, August 2-7, 2007.

“I have worked with Antal products for years and got to test them in extreme conditions. These products are very reliable and the company offers the ability to customize equipment for its clients,” said Mr Péché. At Sydney International Boat Show, new Australian launches of products include a rope-driven winch, automatic locking track for genoa or halyard control, new snatch blocks and V Grip rope clutches.

In other releases at Sydney by International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd:
New releases from Sparcraft, a world leader in mast manufacturing. The company is releasing new beams designed and engineered for cruising catamarans. The new beams are for cruising catamarans and made easy to add on optional equipment. Sparcraft is a standard equipment provider for prestigious international sailing manufacturers including Beneteau, Dufour, Hanse, J Boats and Catalina;
New racing deck equipment including innovative blocks and state of the art furling systems by Karver. The super light blocks have been popular on America’s Cup boats as well as the dynamic TP 52 fleet. The company’s halyard locks range from 1500kg SWL to 20,000kg. Worldwide patented products are standard rigging on many competitors for the next Vendee Globe solo round the world race.
Complementary products to the Sparcraft range through Z Spars, a mass production mast manufacturer;
And the latest products from German LED navigation light manufacturer Blue Water Lights.

“My extensive sailing experience in premier international yachting and sailing events has enabled me to gain Australian distribution of these prestigious yachting brands,” said Mr Péché.

“International SAILFORCE can provide not just replacement parts but technical linkages which is a valuable service for serious yacht buyers.”

International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd is based in Henderson, Western Australia. Mr Péché continues to compete in international sailing events and offers specialist services for multihull owners in Australia.

International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd is based at 1/18 Egmont Rd, Henderson, Western Australia. Key contacts are Tel 1300 559092, Mobile +61 411 436 614 and web: www.sailforce.com.au

Philippe Péché and International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd
Philippe Péché was born in Lorient, France. He has raced sailboats since aged 10. A world champion sailor, Mr Péché has competed in:
• Three Round the World Races in 2000, 2002 and 2005
• Two America’s Cup in 1983 and 1986
• Three Admiral’s Cup 1979, 1983 and 1985
• Three Fastnet Races1979, 1983 and 1985
• Two Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Races 1985 and 2003
• Holds the 2005 Jules Verne Trophy – an around the world sailing record at 50 days, 16 hours and 20 minutes.

At the age of 20, Mr Péché was selected to be part of the French Challenger team for the 1983 America’s Cup at Newport in the US on France 3. This followed some years of IOR and Ton Cup racing. Later he sailed with the Italian syndicate Victory 83 winning the 12 metre world cup in Porto-Cervo Italy. He worked for Kookaburra in Sydney, building sails for the 1986 America’s Cup in Fremantle, Western Australia.

For eight years, Mr Péché worked for North Sails in many countries before moving into a family business running a BMW car dealership. During this time, he drove classic cars competitively in endurance races over Europe.

He returned to the marine area by working as a consultant for UK based company Custom Tenders Ltd, manufacturing one-off tenders for super yachts.

In 1999, Mr Péché moved to Australia and in 2001 opened International SAILFORCE, co-ordinating sail and rigging projects for offshore racing multihulls and represented leading sailboat equipment manufacturers in Australia.

Customers included major international projects:
• 120ft ocean racing catamaran Team Adventure
• Steve Fossett’s 125ft catamaran PlayStation
• G class maxi catamaran Orange I and Orange II
• 60ft trimaran Broceliande, Bayer, Foncia I and II
• Audi X-cats and Australian 56ft catamaran Raw Nerve

In 2004, the company evolved to International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd and branched into representation of leading brands in Australia.

International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd currently represents in Australia as exclusive distributor:
• Sparcraft, a world leader in mast manufacturing based in La Rochelle, France;
• Karver, a French racing deck equipment manufacturer of blocks (pulleys) and furling systems;
• Z Spars, a mass production mast manufacturer supplying rigs for production boats up to 40ft;
• Antal, an Italian boat equipment manufacturer;
• Blue Water Lights, a German manufacturer of LED navigation lights.

The company also is available to consult on race preparation, project management and offering technical advice related to rigging, sails and crewing.

Mr Péché promotes car manufacturer Audi through demonstration sailing and corporate entertainment.

International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd represents these prestigious brands in Australia:

Antal
This Italian boat manufacturer offers a complete deck package. Using International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd expertise, the package can be customized for clients. Antal manufactures a mast track and batten car systems which can be offered to sail makers and custom mast manufacturers. Other products in the range include travelers, winches, rope ring drives, halyard blocks, maxi snatches and HL blocks. The company launches in 2007 an innovative rope driven winch and a new automatic locking track for genoa or halyard control. www.antal.it

Blue Water Lights
This German company manufactures navigation lights for sports shipping. The LED (light emitting diodes) lights offer energy savings, long operating duration, a compact and durable design with anodized aluminium and insensitivity to vibration. www.bluewaterlights.de

Karver
This French company manufactures racing deck equipment including innovative blocks (pulleys) and state-of-the-art furling systems for racing boats. The new range of super light blocks have been popular on America’s Cup boats as well as the TP 52 fleet. Halyard locks range from 1500kg SWL to 20,000kg. The patented product is part of the standard rigging of most competitors in the next Vendee Globe solo around the world race. The company has outfitted yachts in leading races including the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup contenders including Alinghi. International SAILFORCE offers technical assistance to clients. www.karver-systems.com

Sparcraft
A world leader in mast manufacturing, this French company is standard equipment on a range of prestigious brands including Beneteau, Dufour, Hanse, Grand Soleil and Catalina. International SAILFORCE provides a service activity with this brand, providing replacement parts and technical links. Sparcraft creates a range of products including masts, booms, hardware, poles and bowsprits, headstay systems and hardware. The company has launched a specific aluminium section designed and engineered for cruising catamaran forward beams. The new beams are designed to be easily fitted onto production catamarans or owner builder’s one off vessels. A full range of accessories from davit to bow sprits are designed to be easily added which cuts down the cost of adapting to mast sections. www.sparcraft.com

Z Spars
A large mass production mast manufacturer, this French company is a leader in the supply of rigs for production boats up to 40ft. www.z-spars.com

International SAILFORCE Pty Ltd
At SailForce we are specialists in sailboat improvements. www.sailforce.com.au
1/18 Egmont Rd, Henderson WA 6166. Tel 1300 559092.
Direct line (08) 9437 2211 or Int +61 8 9437 2211
Fax (08) 9437 22 77 or Int +61 8 9437 22 77 Mobile: (0411) 436 614.