Noonmark ahead

After a light opening day to the Swan European Regatta off Cowes

The opening day of the Swan European Regatta saw the 41 entries enjoy two races in each of the three classes. With a light south westerly sea breeze that built through the day as the skies cleared, racing was closely fought around the classic Solent courses set by the Royal Yacht Squadron.

The first race of the day began with a 13 mile course, from a committee boat start off Browndown, finishing on the Squadron line. The new Swan 53, Sassenach, owned by Royal Yacht Squadron Vice Commodore, Ian Laing took the first race in Class A. Class B was won by local sailor Ken Newman’s Swan 46 Marinero while White Heather, Lionel and Janet Miller’s Swan 37, won Class C.

The second race of the day started from the Squadron line before racing around the western Solent over a 14.5 mile course. The final run down back the Squadron line saw the fleet enjoying the sunshine with gusts of up to 20 knots. The Belgian Club Swan 42, Aqua Equinox, owned by Filip Balcaen, was guided around the course by Volvo Ocean Race skipper, Bouwe Bekking, to their first win of the championship. Class B was dominated by Don Wood’s Swan 411 Le Quatre Juillet and Cisne, the Swan 43 owned by David Collins and Tony Thorpe, won Class C.

At the end of the first day, Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy’s Swan 56 Noonmark leads Class A with two second place finishes, Marinero, Ken Newman’s Swan 46 leads Class B with a 1st and a 2nd. Class C is led by the Swan 37, White Heather, owned by Lionel and Janet Miller also with a 1st and 2nd place.

Stuart Quarrie, navigator onboard Noonmark VI commented: "A fantastic first day’s racing with great wind although as it was coming off the shore it was tricky and shifty. In the tradition of a Nautor’s Swan event most boats have obviously been prepped and well looked after and are competing to a high standard. We are obviously very happy to have completed the first race day with our nose in front."

Tomorrow will see the fleet starting at 10.20 with two races around the Solent scheduled with similar conditions forecast before enjoying the Swan Owners Dinner sponsored by Atlante Marina di Scarlino and Air Partner Private Jets.

Provisional Overall Results:

Class A
1 Noonmark VI Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy 2 – 2 Total: 4.00
2 Sassenach Ian Laing 1 – 5 Total: 6.00
3 Aqua Equinox Filip Balcaen 6 – 1 Total: 7.00

Class B
1 Marinero Ken Newman 1 – 2 Total: 3.00
2 Le Quatre Juillet Don Wood 5 – 1 Total: 6.00
3 Christina David Segel 4 – 3 Total: 7.00

Class C
1 White Heather Lionel & Janet Miller 1 – 2 Total: 3.00
2 Cisne David Collins / Tony Thorpe 5 – 1 Total: 6.00
3 Rauwolfia Michel Cormier 3 – 5 Total: 8.00

Full results here