Swans migrate to Cowes

A record fleet is expected for the Swan European Regatta starting this weekend

After two days of registration and practising, racing kicks off this Sunday in the Solent for a record fleet in the Nautor's Swan European Regatta.

61 cruiser racers from the classic Italian-owned Finnish marque are expected to be taking part, ranging from 20 year old Swan 36s and 38s to the classic globetrotting 65s such as King's Legend, which came second in the 1981/2 Whitbread Round the World Race. Most modern breed there is the 56 of which four are entered while the scratch boat in the fleet remains the suped-up 60 - formerly Irvine Laidlaw's Highland Fling, now sold to Hong Kong-based Irishman Paul Winkelmann and renamed Island Fling.

John Irving of British Nautor's Swan agents Irving & Lilley says the joy of the regatta is that while crews on many of the older boats know they have little chance of winning, they still have the opportunity to race like for like with other boats of a similar model to their own. As a result there are several races within a race. This year these race-ettes have been noted and will have their own prizes awarded.

"The formula is to give them bloody good racing on the water and good fun in the evening. It's how a proper regatta should be!" Irving told madforsailing. The event is hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron where there are various dinners and more formal functions during the week in addition to the more down to earth entertainment to be found at the Yacht Haven.

Racing takes place under Swan's own handicapping system with the fleet divided into two - the Swan 46s and up in the big class and the 44s and down in the small class. Smart money for winning overall is on either RORC Commodore Terry Robinson's 48 Assuage or Crackerjack , the Scottish 60 belonging to Keith Miller. Crackerjack came second in IRC0 at the recent IR2000 Championships and is sailed by Miller, his wife and two daughters and a group of friends from Scotland, but will have the familiar figures of skipper Steve Dodd and Dave Howlett on board.

Boats taking part are not only diverse in their size and age but in their nationality. 10 nations are represented including Aera, the 46 of London-based Greek Nick Lykiardopulo and the new 48 Cow Boy II of American Francisco Perez. There is a healthy Scandinavian and Dutch contingent including the 56 Rebecca owned by Jan Fazer, boss of Scandinavia's leading confectioners and one time sponsors of the old Whitbread boat Fazer Finland. Navigator Mike Broughton advises that this boat is not one to be followed as she has a lifting keel!

The most unusual entry is the 48 Murta of Russian Mikael Mouratov and his Ukrainian girlfriend Olga White. Mouratov has a company that has recently computerised the Moscow underground system and has recently won the contract to do the same with the buses. The boat is said to have several crewmen from the Russian Whitbread boat Fazisi on board.

A star among the fleet will be British Europe Gold medallist Shirley Robertson, who will be at the helm of the Swan 48 Jacobite.Check out madforsailing next week to read of her exploits.

See page two for the schedule and page three for the entry list...