Gazprom Swan European Regatta & Swan 45 Worlds - Overall
by Nautor's Swan 11 Jul 2015 17:43 AEST
6-10 July 2015
vanUDEN in action downwind in the Swan 45 World Championships © Nautor's Swan / LPB Aerial
The Gazprom Swan Europeans and Swan 45 World Championships drew to a close this afternoon and as the sun set over the Solent, the owners and crew gathered at the Royal Yacht Squadron for the final prizegiving.
The 35 competing Swans enjoyed a full range of conditions over the past four days, from 30+ knots of wind on Monday and Tuesday, to very light air on Wednesday and clear skies with 15-20 knots today. Perfect Swan sailing.
Gazprom Swan Europeans
Barry Ashmore, Regional Director for Nautor's Swan, congratulated the participants and presented the Swan European Regatta trophy to the winners in Class A - Swan 48 Snatch, Adrian Lower and David Smith and in Class C - Swan 36 Finola, Chris and Roger Frost.
For the first time in the history of the event, there were six Swan 36s taking part. They'd travelled from all over England and Scotland to compete. The Swan 36, designed by Sparkman & Stephens 49 years ago, is a true classic and testament to Swan's timeless elegance and racing prowess.
Built in 1968, Swan 36 Finola was sailed across the Atlantic by her first owner and it was in 2003 when current owner Chris Frost found Finola in Newport, sailed back to the UK and began to restore and subsequently race her.
"We've had a superb regatta, it's been very well run by ClubSwan and the Royal Yacht Squadron. It all went extremely well and we on Finola have had a great week and have been lucky enough to get five firsts and a second, so have won the Swan European trophy for the second time," said Roger Frost.
A regatta rife with tradition saw many families sailing together including the Baum family onboard Swan 48 Elan. Harold Baum has competed in every Swan European Regatta held in the last 30 years, but this year was just two points behind the winners Swan 48 Snatch, to take second overall in Class A.
The Highland Fling trophy, for the top owner driver, went to Adrian Lower and David Smith owners of Swan 48 Snatch, while best maintained Swan went to Ray Mitchell's Swan 41 Accomplice.
The Royal Yacht Squadron will now prepare for their Bicentenary Regatta later this month where at least half a dozen Swans are expected to take part.
Class A top three:
1. Swan 48 – Snatch (GBR) – Adrian Lower & David Smith
2. Swan 48 – Elan (GER) – Harold Baum
2. Swan 48 – Bella Nove (GBR) – Nick Maddalena
Class C top three:
1. Swan 36 – Finola (GBR) – Chris & Roger Frost
2. Swan 36 – Anna Mai (GBR) – Harry Hutchinson
3. Swan 41 – Moustique (GBR) – Alan Major
Swan 45 World Championships
This week in the Swan 45 Class it was the young team of Dutch sailors onboard vanUDEN who lifted the Swan 45 Gold Cup from four time world champions Earlybird. The German Swan 45 helmed by owner Hendrik Brandis, with Jochen Schumann as tactician, finished fourth overall.
Going into the last day it still could have been anyone's trophy, yet once the protests were decided the new Dutch champions were crowned.
"It was a super interesting event with a lot of different circumstances and changes on the course. It was actually a close and technical game in the end. The team did really well. In sailing we all make mistakes, but we stick together as a team and accept everything – change modes and go for it again – that's what made us go for the victory," said 470 Olympian Lobke Berkhout, tactician onboard Swan 45 vanUDEN.
In second place, was RW Bol's Swan 45 No Limits, with Volvo Ocean Race skipper Bouwe Bekking calling tactics, while third place went to Lennard van Oeveren's Swan 45 Motions.
The next event for the Swan 45 Class will be the Copa del Rey.
Top three:
1. Swan 45 – vanUDEN – Stichting Benodet
2. Swan 45 – No Limits – RW Bol
3. Swan 45 – motions – Lennard van Oeveren
For full results see www.rys.org.uk/event/swan-european-regatta