Victoire is a recently purchased customised Beneteau First 45, previously known as Poppy of Portland. The owner and skipper are stepping up from their previous boat Vivacite, a Beneteau 44.7, that placed third in PHS Division in last year’s Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. Victoire’s first offshore race for owner Darryl Hodgkinson was this year’s Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race, where she finished second overall. This race was the beginning of year long campaign for the boat that will culminate with this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart.