Gazprom Swan Europeans and Swan 45 Worlds - Challenging conditions

by Nautor's Swan on 9 Jul 2015 2015 Gazprom Swan Europeans and Swan 45 Worlds – Leaders hold their positions despite challenging conditions.

With winds gusting up to 30 knots today, the Solent provided excellent racing for the fleet of Swans taking part in the Gazprom Swan European Regatta and Swan 45 Worlds.

Following on from being the top Swan in the recent Round the Island Race and impressive Class win at the 2014 Rolex Swan Cup, in Class C it is Chris Frost's Swan 36 Finola (GBR) which has four first place finishes after two days of racing. While newcomers to the Gazprom Swan European Regatta, Swan 48 Snatch (GBR), owned by Adrian Lower and David Smith have four consistent second place finishes to command the lead of Class A.

Meanwhile on the Swan 45 race course, the Race Committee flew code flag Y obliging all competitors to don their lifejackets and ran three races. Leaders Swan 45 Motions (NED), owned and helmed by Lennard van Oeveren, scored two-fourths and a second place today, yet now share first place with Benodet Stitching's Swan 45 VanUden (NED). The young Dutch team had two seconds and a fifth today to tie for first overall after two days racing. The pros onboard No Limits (NED) and Earlybird (GER) have their work cut out for them to move up the leaderboard from where they are currently tied for third.

Today's exciting conditions will provide plenty of great conversation for this evening's ClubSwan Owners Dinner at the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Winds are expected to decrease slighty for tomorrow's coastal race which starts at 1130 BST.