Les Voiles de St Tropez - Swan fleet dominates the leader board
by Nautor's Swan on 8 Oct 2013
Swan 42 Natalia, winner of ClubSwan award Nautor's Swan
At the spectacular Les Voiles de St Tropez last week, with podium finishes across the board, the Swan fleet dominated the leader board with 24 Swans taking part. It was a landslide of victories across the IRC classes at this important gathering of the most important classic and modern yachts of this era.
Five days of racing were scheduled, plus the traditional lay day with the Club Swan cocktail reception onboard Swan 90S Solleone. Club Swan members and guests thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing evening and soaked up the ambience of St Tropez harbour in true Swan Style.
The South African Swan 53 Music, owned and sailed by James Blakemore finished first in IRC Group B. James Blakemore commented, 'It was a really fantastic week of sailing at the very well organized Les Voiles de St Tropez. Although the conditions for the first day of racing were not ideal for us with quite light winds, we managed a credible sixth position.
After the first race things improved and Music performed beautifully in a slightly stiffer breeze. As always my crew were at the top of their game and no time or hardly any was left on the course. I am very happy with my Swan 53 and its performance! We were very proud to achieve first place in our Group IRC B, as well as win the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy for our overall finish. Les Voiles is one of the most spectacular regattas taking place in the lovely waters around St Tropez and the one that all the crews really enjoy.'
In IRC1 it was Swan 601 @robas in second overall, while the Club Swan 42s and Swan 45s dominated IRC three with the top six finishers all being Swans. Club Swan 42 Natalia finished first in the IRC three, winning the ClubSwan Award for the best placed Swan overall. Swan 45 Earlybird was the top placed Swan 45 finishing second in their class.
The next event on the ClubSwan calendar is the Swan Mediterannean Challenge during the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which starts in Malta on October 19.
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