Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta - Gazprom Swan 60 class ready to race

by Jennifer Hall on 14 May 2013 The Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta, the first official event of the 2013 circuit, is about to commence for the inaugural Gazprom Swan 60 Class racing season. The largest sailing event on the North Sea, the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta take place from 7th - 20th May and opens with a 110 nautical mile race from Scheveningen to Harwich.

Five Swan 60s are entered in the first event on the Gazprom Swan 60 Class Circuit: Bronenosec, Spirit of Europe, SGM, Petite Flamme and Tsaar Peter. These Swan 60s first competed against one another in October 2012 during the first Nord Stream Race, with Swan 60 Bronenosec claiming victory in their win.

Vladimir Luibomirov, owner of Swan 60 Bronenosec commented: 'This regatta is the first, not only in the circuit, but of the season. We plan to adjust our teamwork slightly and I feel that this will be our warm up event before the English events later in the year. The main goal for the season is success in the Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship in the summer. We have two new Russian sailors aboard this year and in the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta we will meet with our very good sparring partner- Team Germany.'

Luibomirov will be joined onboard by former America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and 17 time world champion Tommaso Chieffi as tactician, along with well-known navigator Francesco Mongelli. The calibre of sailors taking part in the North Sea Regatta is sure to result in some magnificent racing and will mean the battle for first place is fierce.

Once the North Sea Regatta has concluded, the Swan 60s will continue the 2013 Gazprom Swan 60 Class Circuit with three further events planned for the year. The next time the Swan 60s meet will be during the inaugural Gazprom Swan 60 World Championships, during the Gazprom Swan European Regatta from 13-19 July in Cowes. Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week follows and the Circuit will conclude with the Nord Stream Race in September.

The Gazprom Swan 60 Class itself is an emerging one design class on the international racing scene. Introduced in 2012, the Swan 60 is built by Nautor’s Swan as a high performance racer and cruiser. Gazprom joined the Class as title sponsor with a commitment to a comprehensive, global racing calendar through to 2017. The Class has already attracted a raft of high profile international sailors including America’s Cup, Olympic and Volvo Ocean Race veterans who ensure quality competition in this growing fleet.

Luca Lucheschi, Commercial Director of Nautor’s Swan, is positive about the future of the Gazprom Swan 60 Class: 'Nautor is committed to designing and building the best performing yachts for both racing and cruising. The Gazprom Swan 60 Class’ comprehensive racing programme through 2017 provides owners the option to compete in the most important regattas as a one design class, while also being able to fully cruise the Swan 60 with family and friends. Having just sold a Swan 60 in Asia this past week, we are confident that the demand for this Swan will continue to grow.'

The Gazprom Swan 60 racing is part of the ClubSwan calendar, which includes sailing and social events around the world for owners and guest members.