Club Swan 42s dedicated class at Acura Key West 08

by Nick Gower, Nautor's Swan Press Officer on 21 Dec 2007 One year on from the Club Swan 42 debut at the 2007 Acura Key West, twelve Club Swan 42's will convene in Florida to compete in a dedicated class of their own at the 2008 event, reflecting the immense rise in popularity of the model and class in the last twelve months. Taking place from January 21 – 25, the 21st edition of the international race week will host the first event in the new 2008 Club Swan 42 Circuit and will mark the start of an exciting year of competitive racing.

The Club Swan 42 class at this year's event is one of three classes Nautor's Swan have devised and included in the recently announced 2008 racing programme. Nurtured through a partnership with some of the world's most prestigious yacht clubs, the one design class will be joined by the Swan 45 class and the Swan Maxi Class, which will see events in Europe and America running from January to October. Other existing IRC events in the Club Swan 42 circuit include eight regattas in the American programme and four regattas in Mediterranean programme.

Since its launch the Club Swan 42 has gained international recognition. With impressive performances in regattas world wide, the success of the inaugural 2007 International Championships and the Swan American Regatta in Newport and the recent acclaim being named Best Offshore One Design boat at the 2008 Boat of the Year Awards.

Some familiar names appear in the line up in the Club Swan 42 Class at the Key West race week including the National Championships winner, Alex Jackson on Amelia. Mr Jackson and crew will no doubt be hoping to put in a similar spirited performance to the one that secured the victory at Newport in September. Mr Jackson commented ahead of the event 'It’s going to be great to take the boat down to Key West, I've never sailed there but have heard fantastic things about the regatta. The Swan 42 fleet and corresponding racing is coming together just as the founders of the fleet imagined, very close and very fun for all of the participates, I am sure that 2008 is going to be even better as the class grows and the races heat up in Newport this summer'.

An experienced crew onboard British entry Uxorious III will also be optimistic after finishing third in class at the 2007 Skandia Cowes Week and could well be a contender for a podium finish. With twelve models entered to date, the competition is likely to be fierce in what is only the third time a fleet of Club Swan 42's have raced in their own class and for many Key West will be a first time experience. In the open division, Swan 45 Murka II will take to the Floridian waters representing Nautor's Swan in the IRC class. Owner Mikhail Mouratov will be joined by a multinational crew of talented individuals, including tactician Eddie Warden-Owen who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team fresh from his Americas Cup role as Desafio Espanol team coach.

A comprehensive programme of shore side activities is planned for the participants of the regatta. Awards will be presented to winners at the end of each days racing with a final prize giving ceremony at the conclusion of the week.