The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League in Saint-Tropez
by The Nations Trophy 4 Jun 2018 10:30 PDT
9–12 June 2018
Swan One Design competition © Carlo Borlenghi / Nautor's Swan
The Rolex Giraglia Inshore Races in Saint-Tropez (9 – 12 June) provide the sensational location for the third act of The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League 2018 for Swan One Designs.
At the halfway point in the four-leg series, competition is extremely tight with the podium places in all three classes – ClubSwan 50, Swan 45 and ClubSwan 42 – separated by a handful of points.
According to Enrico Chieffi, Vice President of Nautor's Swan, the first season of The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League is proving a great success: "The two events so far, in Monaco and Palma, have been emblematic of the spirit we hoped to capture when setting up the league. Superbly organised by the host clubs and ClubSwan, the owners and crew have enjoyed close competition on the water and companionship onshore. Based on past experience, the Yacht Club Italiano and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez will undoubtedly maintain this special atmosphere during the Rolex Giraglia."
ClubSwan 50
In the ClubSwan 50 class overall standings, Morten Kielland's Mathilde (SWE) lies in first place, three points ahead of Earlybird (GER) and Skorpios (RUS). Mathilde finished second in class at both Monaco Swan One Design in March and SailRacing PalmaVela in May, and it is this consistency that has helped propel the Swedish boat into the lead. Earlier in the season, Kielland pointed to two things that were behind the results achieved so far; "We have most of last year's crew, so our coordination is getting better all the time. We also have a new tactician, Leigh McMillan, who is fantastic."
Five ClubSwan 50s will be racing in Saint-Tropez, including Mathilde, Earlybird and Skorpios. Cuordileone (ITA) also returns to the fray after winning Monaco Swan One Design, but missing PalmaVela. Lying in fourth place heading into this next event, Leonardo Ferragamo, sailing this time with Tommaso Chieffi as tactician, will be keen to make up ground on the opposition.
Swan 45
Luis Senis Segarra's Porron IX from Spain leads the Swan 45 Class, with a two-point cushion over Elena Nova (GER) in second, who in turn is two points ahead of T'ala (GBR). Segarra is a keen proponent of Swan One Design racing and has a clear ambition for the season "We really like the league concept [since] it gives us plenty of targets through the summer. We really enjoy being at Swan One Design events and being part of the [Swan] family. We are going to do all the events this year in The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League and hope to win it overall."
In Saint-Tropez, Segarra will renew his rivalry with Valter Pizzoli's Ange Transparent (SUI) and Marco Babando's Checkmate (ITA), both of whom took part in the Monaco event, but not PalmaVela. Thetis (ITA) and Axelle S (FRA) complete the five-boat class.
ClubSwan 42
The ClubSwan 42 class will be taking a break from the intensity of one design competition during the Rolex Giraglia. The class is scheduled to return with a bang at the Copa del Rey, where 14 ClubSwan 42s are expected to compete. The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League scoring system for the overall standings is weighted towards the events with more boats, so the Copa del Rey will play a large part in determining the final outcome in this class. Currently, Massimo De Campo's Selene Alifax (ITA) leads by one-point from Pez de Abril (ESP) with Lorenzo Mondo's Far Star (ITA) and Pit Finis' Dralion (GER) tied in third, a further point back.
New Swan One Design News
Away from the racing, on the evening of Monday, 11 June in the BMW Lounge at the SNST clubhouse in Saint-Tropez, Nautor's Swan will be using the Rolex Giraglia as the occasion to unveil the new ClubSwan 36, the latest Swan One Design from the drawing board of Juan Kouyoumdjian.
2018 League Standings
In terms of The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League 2018 country standings, after two events, Italy leads on 15 points from Germany and Switzerland, tied in second on 12 points, with Spain in fourth place on 11 points.
Handicap Entries
The Rolex Giraglia is a festival of sailing in three parts. Feeder races from Sanremo and Barcelona precede the three days inshore racing off Saint-Tropez. The final act is the 241-nm race to Genoa via La Giraglia. Swan yachts have great supporters of the event throughout the past 50 years. 2018 sees eleven Swans across seven models taking part.
Racing at the Rolex Giraglia Inshore Races commences on Sunday, 10 June. The ClubSwan 50 and Swan 45 classes will race windward/leeward courses, while handicap racing is on coastal courses.