Familiar sponsor for Bennett

Fuji back British Mini sailor for 2005 campaign

Alex Bennett's return to solo ocean race in the Mini class has been heralded by today's announcement of a title sponsor for his campaign, that will include a number of races on the Mini circuit culminating in the Mini Transat in 2005.

Fujifilm Graphic Systems, a business to business division of Fujifilm UK Ltd, have agreed a support package for Bennett enabling him to compete in all of the single and double handed events on the Mini circuit.

The refit of Bennett's boat is nearing completion in Totnes, Devon and is to be rechristened Fujifilm as soon as the work is completed. During the 2004 season Alex will team up with Ifor Pedley, regional managing director of The Northcliffe Press.

A Groupe Finot design that was originally Peter Heppel's Reality, the boat competed in the 1999 Mini Transat finishing second in the Canaries to Guadeloupe leg. Bennett himself finished in overall fifth place in the same race - the best British result for 20 years

Made of carbon and foam sandwich core and with a new carbon mast for the 2004 season, Fujifilm is reputed to be the one lightest and fastest Minis on the circuit with the same design as, but more recently built than, the current 2003 Transat winner Moulin Roty.

27 year-old Bennett said: "My ocean racing aspirations are really back on track. Fujifilm is a great boat and after the refit she will be as good as new . The construction of the new carbon mast is almost complete so things are really moving ahead at pace now, she should be in the water within weeks. With the backing of a major sponsor like Fujifilm Graphic Systems we feel very confident .

Bennett has also attracted a range of other product sponsors including Raymarine, leading West Country law firm Michelmores Solicitors, Proteus Media Limited and English Braids who supported him in his previous attempt on the Mini Transat in 1999.

Keith Dalton, Divisional Director of the Bedford based Fuji Film Graphic Systems, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring Alex Bennett in his attempt to win next year’s Mini Transat, one of the most prestigious competitions in world ocean racing.

“Alex is highly professional and focused in his approach to sailing. He is competitive and a proven winner. We admire the qualities it takes to be successful in ocean racing and are impressed with Alex’s natural way of relating to people. He will make a superb ambassador for Fujifilm in this programme of very high profile Ocean races.

The 2004 programme includes.

Race	Date	Type	Start	Via	Finish
Select 6.50	May 1st	Singlehanded	Pornichet	Ile De Yeu	Pornichet
Mini Cup	May 29th	Singlehanded	Dieppe	South Coa s t UK Mark	Douarnenez
Mini Fastnet	June 12th	Doublehanded	Douarnenez	Fastnet Rock	Douarnenez
Open Demi - Cle	July		Locmiquelic	Wales	Lorient
Course Aux Azores	Aug  7th	Singlehanded	Douarnenez	Azores	Douarnenez
Challenge Mini	TBA