Four classes at Swan Cup

News of September's event in Sardinia

A myriad of Swans are set to grace the shores of Sardinia later this year for Nautor’s Swan’s premier racing event. The 15th edition of the Rolex Swan Cup will be marked with a memorable display of racing, as all four Swan classes will be in action for the first time collectively since the recent introduction of the Swan Maxi Class. Hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) in Porto Cervo, the biennial event will run from 8-14 September and promises to deliver excitement and glamour with the busy racing and social programmes in place.

The fleet will be split into four racing classes; Class A will include the new Swan Maxi Class catering for yachts with an overall length exceeding 18m racing in IRC. The popular one design classes, the Club Swan 42s and Swan 45s, will compete in classes B and C respectively and will no doubt see a fierce contest as both classes continue to grow and enjoy strong international competition. For those Swans that measure in below 18m length overall, many of which have been sailing some time before Nautor’s comprehensive racing programme was implemented, will be racing under NSR in the Classics Class D.

The majority of racing will be designated inshore, with the exception of the Island’s Long Race, with classes A and D scheduled for seven races whilst Swan’s in classes B and C will contest 11 races - each class will allow one discard. Swan Maxi, ClubSwan 42 and Swan 45 employ an owner driver ruling as a class rule which make for thrilling racing in true Corinthian style. This rule is not compulsory for the Classic Class D and the first arrived Owner Driver will be awarded of the Higland Fling Trophy.

Last year saw over 100 entries from 17 countries with Swans ranging from 36 feet up to 112 feet. Even at this early stage, the entry list shows an equally diverse range of models competing, including Swan 112 Highland Breeze (SPA), the largest Swan confirmed at this stage. Joining Highland Breeze in the Swan Maxi Class, will be Swan 601 Spirit of Jethou (GBR) helmed by owner Sir Peter Ogden, a regular on the race circuit, who will be hoping to repeat the success of fellow Swan 601 Moneypenny (USA) who took class honours in 2006 and to beat Favonius that is actually his bigger competitor in the Swan Maxi Circuit. The RSC will be the last regatta of the Swan Maxi Circuit and very competitive boats as Grey Goose (Swan 82), Flying Dragon (Swan 80), @Robas (Swan 601) and Whisper of Geronimo (Swan 651) will continue the tough racing that have been the leitmotiv of all the Swan Maxi Season.

The one design classes will for the first time be together at the Rolex Swan Cup with a huge fleet. All the European ClubSwan 42 and a few boats coming from USA will race for the first time in this great regatta. Porto Cervo will also be the venue for the 2008 Swan 45 Gold Cup. About 30 boats are expected for a great competition with DSK Comifin (ITA) who took title honours in the Swan 45 class ready to face Swan 45 Fever (GBR) third in the 2007 Gold Cup in Cowes, Isle of Wight. Owner Grant Gordon is looking forward to a full calendar of racing this summer: “The Fever sailing team are excited to be participating in the Swan 45 Mediterranean Circuit; the Rolex Swan Cup is the penultimate test of the season and we anticipate very tough competition, especially from the experienced Italian fleet.”

Both Club Swan 42 and Swan 45 models have successfully established themselves in the world of racing and have developed a strong class association over the last couple of years. The Rolex Swan Cup will be an opportunity to showcase the one design models in full flight and in close proximity, as well as offering a diverse sailing spectacle as the entire fleet of old and new convene to honour Nautor’s flagship event.

Acting Commodore of the YCCS, Riccardo Bonadeo, comments: “The Rolex Swan Cup is always a spectacular event, both for the impressive number of participants and the huge range of Nautor’s Swan models competing. This regatta is particularly enjoyable thanks to the friendly atmosphere that exists among the Swan owners, although with the Swan 45 World Championship taking place within the event this year we can also look forward to some very exciting competition on the water.”

Over the years Nautor’s Swan has built a reputation for producing some of the worlds most exclusive yachts and the Rolex Swan Cup is the flagship event in it’s calendar and encapsulates the passion and lifestyle associated with owning a Swan. An integral part of the event is the comprehensive social program of shore side activities, for which the event is well known, offering a welcome rest bite to the action on the water. Highlights include the owner’s dinner, crew party and final prize giving ceremony including the Rolex accolade, which play out in the idyllic setting of Porto Cervo, at the prestigious Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.