Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

Gazprom Swan 60 class circuit heats up

by Jennifer Hall on 6 Aug 2013
Gazprom Swan 60 Class prepare for Rolex Fastnet Race Natuor's Swan
Swan 60 Bronenosec (RUS) continues her strong winning streak keeping this team in first place in the overall Gazprom Swan 60 2013 Circuit, SGM (GER) sits in second just in front of Swan 60 Knights of Crevichon (GBR) and Tsaar Peter (BVI) tied in third place, whilst Petite Flamme (RUS) follows in fourth.

This exhilarating new circuit for Nautor’s Swan has attracted a range of entries from the UK, BVI, Russia and Germany as well as competitors from the high echelons of big boat society right through to grass root sailors.

Now half way through the four event circuit, Bronenosec have established themselves at the front of the pack. Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, currently underway, features as the third event of this year’s circuit with the offshore Nord Stream Race component as the finale during September. Bronenosec (RUS) again leads in points at Cowes this week in third place overall having now completed three races. SGM (GER) follows in fifth place overall, all eyes are now on this Swan 60 to see if the new addition of UK super star dinghy sailor, Ed Wright, will help secure a podium finish for this counter event.

Bronenosec was the first Swan 60 at the season opening Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta before heading to UK shores for the inaugural Gazprom Swan 60 World Championships. Leading the World Championship with an incredible race to spare across the 11 race series demonstrated the crew’s commitment to consistency. After the majority of 2012 was spent in the Mediterranean and Baltic, this year’s circuit has offered helm Vladimir Liubomirov, Commodore of the Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg, Russia a different racing scenario within the intricate Solent tidal cycles.

Offering a contrast to the crew formation of Bronenosec, the majority of German crew onboard Swan 60 SGM were selected via a nationwide sailing programme called the German Offshore Challenger (GOC). The project aims to introduce ambitious sailors to offshore sailing under the guidance of experienced regatta sailors and to establish a successful offshore crew.

To date the GOC crew have raced in the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta in Holland and the Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship in Cowes, UK. The team are growing in confidence and gaining more experience as the circuit progresses; they are becoming real competition for the other Swan 60s competing in the circuit and currently sit in second place overall with two events to go.

Both Bronenosec’s and SGM’s most imminent challenge is the 608 nautical mile course as part of the Rolex Fastnet Race; the world’s largest offshore race. With the start immediately following Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week on August 11th these Swan 60s have a busy time ahead.

Vladimir Liubomirov, owner of Bronenosec, is looking forward to the challenge, 'This is the first time I will be racing in the Rolex Fastnet Race and we are excited to be taking part in such a renowned and popular race. The crew now have experience of sailing in these waters thanks to both the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race and the Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship where we took the winning title. We also have experience of offshore racing in tough conditions, so hopefully we are prepared for all weather types; I am looking forward to meeting our competition.'

Excitement for the emerging one design Gazprom Swan 60 Class continues to climb and this performance racer cruiser is providing top race rides for the likes of yachting legends Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Brad Butterworth OBE racing during the recent Gazprom Swan 60 World Championships. Brad commented, 'We really enjoyed the whole regatta and with such an array of talent throughout the entire fleet it has proven for some exciting racing.'
Sea Sure 2025Lloyd Stevenson - AC ETNZ 1456x180px BOTTOMNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Related Articles

2025 Dutch Water Week day 3
Britain's Micky Beckett continues to lead the ILCA 7 fleet Day Three of the Dutch Water Week, the last stop of the Sailing Grand Slam 2025, brought sunshine and light winds to Almere.
Posted today at 8:53 am
Women's Match Racing Worlds in Chicago Day 3
Quarter-Finals set at Women's Match Racing Worlds After a third day of unseasonable light airs on Lake Michigan, the qualifying round-robin stage of the World Sailing Women's Match Racing World Championship concluded, advancing the top eight teams to the quarter-final stage.
Posted today at 7:57 am
J/105 North American Championship day 3
Penultimate day in Toronto The eighteen teams at the J/105 North American Championship in Toronto had a full day on Lake Ontario, completing four more races.
Posted today at 7:55 am
30% OFF Vaikobi Duffel & Dry Bags!
This deal ends this Sunday at midnight Whether you're packing for a weekend trip, hitting the water, or just need reliable storage, now's the time to upgrade your gear.
Posted today at 1:00 am
OK Dinghy Worlds at Lake Garda overall
Andrew Mills wins after a epic week for the 212 helms Britain's Andrew Mills has won the 2025 OK Dinghy world championship after an epic week of racing on Lake Garda. With only one race possible on the final day, the result was academic to Mills, who was already discarding a second.
Posted on 19 Sep
Formia to Host 450+ Sailors for ILCA Master Worlds
Sailors from 31 nations have arrived in Italy The 2025 ILCA Master World Championships officially kicked off today in Formia, Italy. This year's event has drawn over 450 sailors from 31 nations, making it one of the largest gatherings of the ILCA Master community worldwide.
Posted on 19 Sep
North Sails Ferrari Hypersail apparel partnership
Bringing together two iconic brands at the forefront of performance and innovation North Sails today announced a multi-year partnership with Ferrari that brings together two iconic brands at the forefront of performance and innovation in sailing and motorsport.
Posted on 19 Sep
SailGP prepares for high-stakes Lake Geneva debut
A weekend of tactical, light-air racing on the horizon The Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix begins tomorrow with a weekend of tactical, light-air racing on the horizon. All twelve national teams hit the water today, getting in essential practice laps in the only freshwater venue of the season.
Posted on 19 Sep
37 days to the Transat Café L'or
72 boat fleet includes 18 female skippers On Sunday, October 26, at 2pm local time the 72 boats registered for the 17th edition of the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandie will set sail on the most famous double-handed transatlantic race.
Posted on 19 Sep
Top Honors and Final District Awards announced
Classic Yacht Challenge Series 2025 wraps at Indian Harbor The 2025 Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) came to a close last weekend with early fall sailing in the Indian Harbor Classic Yacht Regatta.
Posted on 19 Sep