From Giraglia Rolex Cup to 163rd NYYC Annual Regatta: Swan yachts always protagonist
From Giraglia Rolex Cup to 163rd NYYC Annual Regatta: Swan yachts always protagonist
From Giraglia Rolex Cup to 163rd NYYC Annual Regatta: Swan yachts always protagonist
The second event in the Nautor’s Swan OD circuit took place during the 65th edition of the Giraglia Rolex Cup, one of Mediterranean’s top yachting rendez-vous - a collaborative venture between countries and yacht clubs bringing nations together in fair-spirited competition. This year a fleet of 19 Swan yachts enjoyed the great atmosphere arranged by the organizers, the Yacht Club Italiano and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, with support from the Yacht Club Sanremo, the Yacht Club de France, and the Cercle Nautique et Touristique du Lacydon.
Simultaneously on the other side of the Atlantic, the ClubSwan 50, had its official debut in the USA market attending the 163rd New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex. Chartered by New York Yacht Club member Jim Madden, he obtained first place in the “Around the island race” in IRC 2.
Jim Madden, longtime Swan owner with a series of yachts named “Stark Raving Mad” remarked: “Prior to the first day of this regatta, I’d only seen pictures and renderings of this yacht and had no idea what to expect in person, and on the race course”. “We had a slow start on the distance race around Jamestown but once the team experimented with some tuning changes the boat just took off on the long reaches and heavy air beat”. “We passed much larger boats with a simple code zero reach and then were able to easily do a peel change to the medium jib as the wind went to the southwest and increased to 20 knots”. The boat is very rewarding to crew work and tuning and a real pleasure to sail”.
Coming back in the Mediterranean sea, the Nautor’s Swan One Design Circuit, dedicated to ClubSwan 50, Swan 45s and ClubSwan 42s is composed of 4 events, among which the Giraglia Rolex Cup has been confirmed one of the most appreciated among Swan Owners for the organization on the water, Rolex’s hospitality on land and both the friendly competition and the life style that they love. The beauty of Saint-Tropez on a sunny and breezy day can’t be beaten. World-class sailor Jochen Schuemann, Nautor’s Swan ClubSwan 50 Class President, raced aboard the ClubSwan 50 Earlybird, and will be present at Nautor’s Swan forthcoming events at the Copa del Rey and The Nations Trophy, both to be held in Palma.
The ClubSwan 50 which is the first Swan designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian has sold well in Europe with 20 units confirmed.
Andrea Masi, Owner of ClubSwan 50 hull number 10, named Ulika, declared “The Giraglia was our first regatta with the ClubSwan 50 and we had a lot of fun. At the beginning of the training days it was not easy to understand the boat feelings but hour by hour the mood changed and it was fantastic.”.
Together with the Nautor’s Swan OD fleet where ClubSwan 50 Earlybird (Brandis) achieved 1st place among the 50s and ClubSwan 42 Natalia/Altair (Scerni) also got 1st among the 42s, Swan yachts achieved impressive results also racing under handicap in the in-shore races: Swan 601 Lorina (Jean Pierre Barjon) was 3rd in IRC 0 and Swan 48 Gouache (David Stanley) was 4th in ORC A.
The Giraglia Rolex Cup is recognized also as an unmissable regatta for the social events taking place all week: besides the official regatta events, Swan Owners were also able to enjoy some dedicated parties. The Swan 115 “Solleone” was the perfect location for the Swan OD cocktail and later, for the BMW reception involving all Swan Owners.
