Charisma's day

Nico Poons' Dutch team takes the lead at the Rolex Swan 45 World Championship

There were excellent conditions again today at the Rolex Swan 45 World Championships, being heold out of Cala Galera, Argentario, Italy organised by the Yacht Club Italiano and the Circolo Nautico e della Vela dell’Argentario in partnership with Rolex.

The Dutch team on Charisma were the ones to watch today. Helmed by owner Nico Poons, with the advice of Emirates Team New Zealand tactician Ray Davies, the team won two of the three races today on the Gulf of Argentario.

The President of the Race Committee, Claudio Tosi, started the first race of the day at 1300 in 4-5 knots of southeasterly wind. Charisma had a clear start and immediately took control of the race course. They were followed closely by the English team onboard Fever, co-owned by Grant Gordon and Klaus Diederichs. The two teams left the rest of the fleet in their wake to finish first and second respectively, while No Limits (NED), owned and helmed by RW Bol was third.

The second race got off at 1450, with Charisma out in front from the outset. The Dutch team swiftly crossed the Italians on Swanted (helmed by owner Stefano Piccolo, tactician Tommaso Chieffi) at the start, followed by Tony Buckingham’s WISC (GBR) and the Japanese team onboard Yasha.

With slightly more breeze, the Race Committee decided to get another race in for the 17 teams. Charisma had an excellent start with the Italians onboard Atlantica Racing and No Limits (NED) in close pursuit.

At the end of the day, Charisma leads over the defending champions from Germany on Earlybird.

Results: