Gazprom Swan European Regatta underway in Cowes

by Nautor's Swan on 14 Jul 2013 The Gazprom Swan European Regatta has commenced with measurement and registration taking place at the ClubSwan Regatta Village in Cowes Yacht Haven. The Swan fleet is extremely diverse for 2013, amateur crews are coupled with the elite Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship teams in pursuit of their first ever World Championship title while the seasoned Swan 45 crews prepare to contend for the prestigious Swan 45 Gold Cup.

Styled on the clean lines of Nautor’s Swan, the ClubSwan Regatta Village is an important element of the week’s social programme with Crew Bar and live entertainment daily.

The diversity of teams attending ClubSwan events is a unique aspect of all Swan regattas. The Gazprom Swan 60 Class and Swan 45 fleet have prompted some of the most experienced sailors to take up their race positions again. America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race veterans, as well as World Champions and Olympians will be sprinkling their stardust on the regatta. Brad Butterworth, Tomasso Chieffi, Adrian Stead, Andy Beadsworth, Peter van Niekerk and Bouwe Bekking are names to watch out for on the race course.

British Swan 36 Sheevra entered in Class C presents a different crew dynamic with owner Jonathan Wallis choosing to race with his wife and four children. The younger generation of the family cover off most of the racing roles aboard with a relief helmsman, mast, navigator and bow girl allocated and additional university friends filling the final spots. Jonathan Wallis said of his entry to the Gazprom Swan European Regatta, 'I always admired the lines of the Sparkman and Stephens boats and fell in love with Sheevra on site. Nautor’s Swan still make us feel part of the party after 46 years! With Scottish cruising as the normal summer pursuit for the family, the racing entry has been spurred on by the children’s urge for more action. It would be wonderful to win something on the South Coast, the Swan 36 has given us such pleasure over the last seven years, the boat is beautiful to sail and always astonishes me with her speed in the lights airs which could be in the forecast for this edition.'

The brand new Swan 53 Kathea (GER) will be coming straight from her build at the Nautor’s Swan Boat Technology Centre in Finland. This is an exciting entry into the ClubSwan fraternity for new owner, Heinrich Voelker.

The more weathered Swans have made particular efforts this year throughout winter refits to ensure shining hulls and decks with some splashing out on new sails. All Swans; old and new will be aiming for a cannon from the Royal Yacht Squadron declaring a win across West Cowes.

A glorious season of sport in the UK and with a heat wave established this is the ultimate time for Solent racing. Renowned for surprising sailors even with a home bias, these famed waters provide excellent deep water racing with powerful tidal streams and unique wind patterns.

For more information on the Gazprom Swan European Regatta, please visit Nautors Swan.