Swan European Regatta wrap report

by Katy Gilmartin on 24 Jul 2009
Once again for a week in mid-July a fleet of Swan yachts flocked to Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, for one of the highlights in the Swan racing calendar, the Swan European Regatta.

2009 marked the 14th edition of this biennial event which is organised by the prestigious Royal Yacht Squadron in association with Nautor’s Swan. The five days of racing provided a highly competitive fleet of over 40 Swan yachts, ranging from 36 to 65 feet, with an exciting variety of Solent weather conditions. With eight courses set in total, in wind speeds of up 35 knots, the three classes were given the opportunity to show off their true seaworthiness and tactics under race conditions.

In Class A, Swan 53 Sassenach (GBR) claimed the event victory having dominated the fleet for the week. Owner of Sassenach, and Vice Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, Ian Laing commented, 'With fantastic courses of up to 25 miles, and perfect conditions for Solent racing, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our first time racing the Swan 53 on home waters. It’s been great to have a chance to be so competitive in a fleet of Swans with an exceptional cruising yacht and enjoy the traditional atmosphere of the regatta.'

Perhaps the most celebrated of this year’s Swan European Regatta successes is the victory of Swan 48 Elan (GER) in winning the overall prize in Class B. The family crew, lead by Harald Baum, were delighted to add their new Swan European Champion title to their original SER victory from 1987. Meanwhile, the Class C victory went to Alan Major’s Swan 41 Moustique (GBR) who finished with a 4 point lead on French representatives Rauwolfia.

In the distinctive nature of Swan regattas, a remarkable mix of the modern and classic, cruising and racing orientated yachts, that have been produced over Nautor’s Swan’s 40 year history, were gathered to contend for the Swan European Champion title. Epitomising the more modern side of the fleet and making the most of the testing conditions were the three Club Swan 42 yachts, which, although raced by a majority amateur crew, are arguably the most competitive on the water. Belgian representatives, Aqua Equinox took the award for the highest placed Club Swan 42 of the week and, with Bouwe Bekking, skipper of the Volvo Ocean Race’s Telefonica Blue, calling tactics onboard, this entry showed the clear collaboration of professional and family based sailing that is a characteristic of Swan racing. Bekking commented, 'We’ve enjoyed the Solent racing, which I love, with testing currents and conditions. Our Club Swan 42, driven by owner Filip Balcaen, is crewed by a group of sailors that have been racing together for over 10 years and being part of the one-design fleet racing at the regatta definitely adds to the competition.'

In the spirit of ClubSwan, the regatta was supported by the customary Swan social schedule, featuring Opening and Closing Receptions in the Royal Yacht Squadron Pavilion and the characteristic Crew Party for all involved. As one of the time-honoured onshore events that have become the tradition of Swan regattas the exclusive Swan Owners’ Dinner, once again hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron, provided a welcome platform for the competing international Swan owners to debate and boast about their results and plan their future regattas. The 2009 edition of the Owners’ Dinner was supported by Air Partner Private Jets, a frequent partner in the Nautor’s Swan event programme, and Atlante Marina di Scarlino, the official overseas property partner of the regatta.

Along with awards for racing success in their respective classes, the Swan Europeans fleet also competed for the Source Trophy for the best team performance, incorporating a yacht from each class, which went to overall winner Sassenach, Ray Mitchell’s Accomplice and Swan 37 Alice IV. Also in keeping with tradition, the final prize giving hosted the presentation of the Highland Fling prize, for the highest placed owner driver, which was awarded to Class B winner Harald Baum of Elan. Of the 526 crew in attendance, the customary Pantaenius Award for the youngest crew member was presented to 11 year old US representative Harry Segel who was racing on his father’s Swan 40 Christina. While on the other side of the spectrum, classic Swan owner, Jeremy Tetley, perhaps the oldest competing sailor at 79, was awarded the Camper & Nicholson Trophy for the oldest competing yacht with his 1967 edition Swan 36 Carte Blanche.

Looking back on the event, Nautor’s Swan Marketing Director, Enrico Chieffi, commented, 'The atmosphere at this year’s Swan European Regatta has been wonderful with a great mix of competitiveness and friendship that is unique to our community and events. The race committee and jury for the event, and the Royal Yacht Squadron, did a fantastic job to manage racing on every day of the week as scheduled.'

Overall Results:

Class A
1 Sassenach Swan 53, Ian Laing (GBR) 1-5-1-1-1-2-1-1 Total: 8.00
2 Silveren Swaen Swan 53, P H Bakker (NED) 4-3-2-3-2-1-2-2 Total: 15.00
3 Noonmark VI Swan 56, Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy (GBR) 2-2-4-2-4-3-6-5 Total: 22.00
Class B
1 Elan Swan 48, Harald Baum (GER) 2-6-1-2-1-1-2-1 Total: 10.00
2 Le Quatre Juillet Swan 411, Don Wood 5-1-3-4-2-3-1-3 Total: 17.00
3 Christina Swan 40, David Segel (GBR) 4-3-2-1-3-2-6-5 Total: 20.00
Class C
1 Moustique Swan 41, Alan Major (GBR) 2-7-2-4-4-1-6-2 Total: 21.00
2 Rauwolfia Swan 371, Michel Cormier (FRA) 3-5-12-1-7-2-4-3 Total: 25.00
3 Cisne Swan 43, D Collins / A. Thorpe (GBR) 5-1-1-2-DNF-DNC-1-1 Total: 26.00

Swan Maxi Class - click here
Swan 45 Class - click here
Club Swan 42 Class - click here
Swan European Regatta 2009 - click here