Rolex Swan Cup – Standing the test of time

by Quinag on 17 Sep 2016 The notion of timeless quality is ingrained in the spirit of the Rolex Swan Cup. Beyond the latest designs such as the Swan 115 and the ClubSwan 50 that secure the headlines and project the future, yachts which span half a century of the sport still shine brightly at this biennial event.

The success of the Rolex Swan Cup is the result of the partnership between the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), Nautor’s Swan and Rolex. All are leaders in their chosen field of expertise. Nautor’s Swan marks its 50th anniversary this year. The YCCS celebrates its half-century in 2017. Rolex has over a century of history. The relationship between these three partners has lasted over thirty years; individually and collectively they have stood the test of time. Just as a number of the yachts participating this week.

The Classic division comprises Sparkman and Stephens creations and spans the first fifteen years of Nautor’s Swan. Forming a substantial part of the record-breaking fleet of 125 entrants gathered for this year’s 19th edition of the regatta, their enduring appeal is testament to the quality of their design and construction, and their rich heritage of success.

Wind returns in time

Insufficient breeze forced the YCCS Race Committee to cancel racing yesterday with the wind only filling back in this afternoon. When it arrived, it came with gusto. “We had a three-hour delay waiting for the mistral to start up. Once it started the breeze slowly built and then we had gusts of 25 knots,” revealed Cuordileone’s Ken Read. Leonardo Ferragamo’s new ClubSwan 50 sits seventh in the Grand Prix class which is being dominated by James Blakemore’s South African yacht Music, winner of all three of the week’s races.

It was a good day for Swan 90 Freya, whose second victory of the regatta enabled her to assume leadership of the Maxi class. “We were nervous when the wind was light this morning but all of a sudden it filled in. It was exciting and beautiful watching all the boats with their spinnakers up,” explained Kimo Worthington who, despite all his years in sailing, remains in awe of the regatta. “It doesn’t get better. We have a game on board identifying which boat is which. The quality of the boats is amazing and event fantastic.” Freya is tied on points with Swan 80 Selene but ahead by virtue of winning two of the three races held. “It’s going to be windier tomorrow before a little bit of everything on the final day,” confirmed Worthington. Lord Irvine Laidlaw’s Swan 115 Highland Fling 15 was again the fastest boat on the water.

After three days of racing, the current class leaders are: Freya (Maxi), Arobas (Mini Maxi), Music (Grand Prix), Sleeper X (Sparkman and Stephens), Natalia (ClubSwan 42) and Elena Nova (Swan 45 World Championship).

Timeless and universal

Thirty-six yachts are competing in the week’s largest class, reserved for designs drawn by the legendary New York studio Sparkman and Stephens (S&S) between 1966 and the early 1980s. Historic yachts which defined bygone eras through their performances in the world’s leading regattas and offshore races. They have etched their name into sailing folklore. More than ascetically-pleasing, they owe their longevity to the quality of Nautor’s Swan as a boat builder, the foresight which defined their design and the loving care they have been bestowed by passionate owners throughout the years.

Tarantella, the very first Swan build, has been carefully restored in Finland to celebrate the marque’s 50th anniversary. Tarantella was commissioned by Swan founder Pekka Koskenkylä in 1966 to demonstrate to the world the advantages of the latest construction materials and design-thinking. The success of the Swan 36 set the company on its path to becoming a leading light in the industry. Tarantella’s appearance in Porto Cervo is a fitting tribute to the people who conceived and built her.

Jan-Erik Nyfelt worked on Tarantella’s original construction, and recalls the impassioned drive of Koskenkylä: “Pekka was very strong-willed. He said that this was going to be the best boat in the world. The most important thing is quality. Quality is not just that it is well varnished or well sandpapered. It means that everything can be arranged when you buy a Swan boat. You get service, you make a lot of friends, and with all the other boats put together you become a big family.”

Another member of the original construction team is Ralf Brännbacka who as a youngster replied to a call to help sand the boat’s original mould. This led to a summer job with Nautor’s which became a full-time position in 1970. Both Nyfelt and Brännbacka worked on Tarantella’s recent restoration and as a reward were given the opportunity to sail her at this year’s Rolex Swan Cup.

With its early reputation built on bullet-proof construction and seaworthiness, as well as elegance, it is little surprise that Swan yachts were used by a number of participants in the early editions of the Whitbread Round the World Race. The first event was won by arguably the most famous Swan of all, the 65 Sayula II of Ramón Carlín who sadly passed away this year. Seven Swan 65s are present here this week. Organised round the world racing drew its inspiration from the pioneering, world-renowned efforts of Sir Francis Chichester in 1966 and the enthusiasm for ocean racing that ensued. In a neat twist, Chichester was aided on his single-handed circumnavigation which also started 50 years ago, by a trusted Rolex Oyster timepiece, regarded today as true reward for excellence on the water and the coveted prize for the Rolex Swan Cup class winners.

Matteo Salamon is not only the co-owner of the Swan 47 Vanessa but founder of the Sparkman and Stephens Swan Association, an organisation created to provide owners of S&S designs with a platform to share their passion. “The owners of the Sparkman and Stephens boats love their beauty and special characteristics. During the day we are competitive when racing each other. Afterwards, we have dinner together, exchange ideas, we often visit each other’s boats to discuss how best to maintain them. The owners are like art collectors.”

Martin Wescott’s Swan 57 Equinoccio is the yacht which has travelled furthest to compete in the weeklong regatta. Owning a Swan was a long-time ambition for this Chilean of English ancestry. Wescott, his wife Melanie, young son Larry and crew have travelled from South America to take part in the event for the first time. “Equinoccio is part of our family, our floating home,” explains Melanie. “It is so well designed, a perfect piece of floating furniture.”

“Everywhere you go, everyone says it’s a beautiful boat,” adds Martin. “This is our first Rolex Swan Cup event, the setting is amazing, the YCCS and the people of the S&S association are so nice. We are newcomers to the class but already feel part of the family.” This family is a group of owners who share a common bond, united by their passion for the sea, their appreciation for beautiful, timeless design and an acute sense of romance. All facets ingrained in the fabric of the Rolex Swan Cup and its longstanding partners.

Tomorrow is the penultimate day of racing at the Rolex Swan Cup. The first warning signal is scheduled for 11:30 CEST.