Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship - Fleet welcomed in Palma

by Jessica Francis on 30 Jul 2014 Mr. Javier Sanz, President, Real Club Náutico de Palma has welcomed the Gazprom Swan 60 Class to Palma for their second Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship, 'it is a pleasure for the Real Club Náutico de Palma and those who are part of it to embrace such a sailing class as the Gazprom Swan 60. This a recognised international class that has chosen to hold its World Championship in the setting of the 33 Copa del Rey Mapfre. We all look forward to welcoming the Swan 60 fleet in August and we hope the competitors will enjoy racing in the great sailing conditions that Palma Bay offers.'

This will be a return to the Mediterranean for World Champion, Swan 60 Bronenosec, after the Russian team trained off the Palma coastline during their first year of racing in 2012. The Russian entry skippered by Vladimir Liubomirov will need to use every inch of experience on these waters as the competitive Danish entry, Swan 60 Vertical Smile, has clocked in a lot of Mediterranean miles already this Spring and have raced as a team since 2011. Tomasso Chieffi however, tactician onboard Bronenosec may still have the upper hand, having won Copa del Rey Mapfre twice during the 1990s, he also boasts an additional two Rolex Swan Cup victories celebrated in the Mediterranean.

British sailor Andy Beadsworth racing onboard the Swan 60 Petite Flamme, will cause a stir on the start line at Palma having raced in the Gazprom Swan 60 fleet at the 2013 Rolex Fastnet Race and Cowes Week. Andy, an Etchells and Dragon World Champion as well as a double Olympian and America’s Cup helm, has experience of Copa del Rey Mapfre over a number of years. 'I have competed a number of times in Palma in 6 different classes and have coached the women’s Olympic class on these waters. I raced last summer with Swan 60 Bronenosec and was really impressed with their set up; it will be interesting being a competitor to the World Champions this time round. I’m sure the racing will be close and we will have our work cut out to beat Bronenosec'.

The German Offshore Challenger entry is relying on Robert Stanjek (GER) to pull their team back into contention after a tough season opener result in the Nord Stream Race. Robert won the globally renowned Olympic Star class World Championship this month, one of the most challenging titles to take and has extensive Swan 60 experience having skippered the Rolex Fastnet Race last year. An Olympic team member in 2012, Robert is also a master of the Mediterranean having won a World Cup in Palma during 2009.

As demonstrated by the Nord Stream Race however, it could be the Chinese team carrying a second place in the series to date that steals the World Championship title next month. Mr Fan is very confident with the crew and has trust in his decisions, he is looking ahead to conquering the whole circuit not just the first two events, 'The 2014 Gazprom Swan 60 Class circuit winner needs to be a very well rounded team with skills to ensure their Swan 60 excels across all winds speeds with a team that can achieve ultimate potential in both offshore, coastal and inshore racing disciplines'.

As well as strong competition afloat and excellent hosts at the Real Club Náutico de Palma, the Gazprom Swan 60 sailors will enjoy a crew party, owners dinners and prize giving. Racing for the Gazprom Swan 60 fleet commences on the 4th August following two days of registration and measurement. All Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship points will count towards the overall 2014 Gazprom Swan 60 Class circuit results to be announced during September following the final Rolex Swan Cup event in Italy.

Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship entries:

Windward – Mr Fan, CHN
Vertical Smile - Peter Lerbrandt, DEN
SGM - German Offshore Challenger - NRV, GER
Tsaar Peter - Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge, Pavel Kirilyuk, RUS
Petite Flamme - Dimitry Samokin, RUS
Bronenosec - Vladimir Liubomirov, RUS
Spirit of Europe - Alpenberg SA, IVB