Rolex Swan Cup under starter's orders

by YCCS on 9 Sep 2014 A fleet of 93 yachts from Finland's Nautor's Swan shipyard are finalizing registration papers, making last-minute adjustments and practising on the regatta course off Porto Cervo in preparation for the start of racing in the 21st Rolex Swan Cup. The event marks the 30th anniversary of the enduring partnership between Rolex, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Nautor and racing - taking place over five days for the six competing divisions - is scheduled to begin tomorrow, 9th September.

The fleet represents over forty years of Nautor's Swan history and includes models ranging from classic Sparkman and Stephens designs to sleek Swan 60s and from luxurious cruising yachts to the competitive Swan 42 and Swan 45 one-design fleets. Racing is expected to be particularly exciting in the 8-boat Swan 45 division, who will be competing for the coveted World Championship title. The fleet will be divided into six divisions with the 42 and 45 one-designs racing on a mixture of windward-leeward and coastal courses and the remaining divisions - Swan Maxi (over 60 feet); Swan Grand Prix (under 60 feet); Swan 60 and Swan Classic (Sparkman & Stephens) - completing coastal courses using the many granite islands of the La Maddalena archipelago as natural buoys.

The week is set to be a busy an exciting one for competitors including a group of US Swan 42 owners who have never before competed in Porto Cervo, as well as the Swan 38 Trimegista which boasts a crew spanning three generations and including several members who participated on board the very same boat in the 1984 edition. The Mascalzone Latino team will also be looking forward to competing for the first time aboard a 1974 Swan 38 which was relaunched just last week after a year-long overhaul commissioned by new owner Vincenzo Onorato. Nautor's Swan President, Leonardo Ferragamo, will not be missing out on any of the action as he will be firmly at the helm of his Swan 42 Courdileone, competing in one of the event's most combative divisions throughout the week.

The Rolex Swan Cup regularly attracts some of the world's top yachtsmen and this year is no exception with tacticians of the calibre of Tommaso Chieffi on the Swan 60 Bronenosec, Jochen Schuemann on the Swan 45 Earlybird, Mike Toppa on the Swan 90 Freya and New Zealand's Hamish Pepper aboard Japanese Swan 56 Yasha using their tactical ability and considerable knowledge of the famed Costa Smeralda race course to gain a competitive edge.

Some of the yachts moored at the YCCS will not compete in daily racing but are keen nevertheless to take part as spectators in an event which, since its creation, has embodied the camaraderie, sportsmanship and sense of fair play that defines the Nautor's Swan 'family'. Action on the water will be matched by a full programme of social events organized by YCCS, Nautor and Rolex, which includes this evening's Welcome Cocktail at the YCCS Clubhouse as well as the Rolex Dinner for owners on Friday, a Rolex Crew Party on Saturday and a host of other collateral events.

The first signal for racing is scheduled for 11.30 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday 9th September. A light westerly breeze is YCCS website