Event
Tested formula
(spectacular) new solution Several ClubSwan regattas have already been run successfully in 2021 and these typically well-organised and great fun – and very competitive – events have also inspired many others elsewhere to get back on the water
One-design yacht racing has made a welcome return to the Mediterranean and the ClubSwan Nations League is back in full swing, with strong fleets at the first two events and two more still to come. The season kicked off with the Swan Tuscany Challenge on 25-29 May, organised by Yacht Club Isole di Toscana and hosted by Marina di Scarlino, where several next-generation Swan models also made their world début at Nautor’s own private boat show event, Swan Worldwide Previews, which featured the brand new Swan 58 blue water cruiser, the best-seller Swan 48 cruiser-racer, Nautor’s first ever powerboat the Swan Shadow and the MaxiSwan 115 Solleone. The opening regatta at Scarlino also heralded the launch of ClubSwan Racing as a separate business in its own right, with a clear focus on taking the already successful ClubSwan concept of tightly managed, owner-driver one design racing and rating regattas to a new level. A major expansion of ClubSwan Racing events going forward includes the brand new Swan Asian Regatta held at Riviera Marina in Japan with three days of racing from 29-31 October this year. Regional regatta circuits in the US, the Baltic and the Mediterranean are also planned.
‘ClubSwan Racing is born, and it is big news,’ said Enrico Chieffi, Nautor's Swan senior advisor, former
78 SEAHORSE
Olympic sailor and current Star class European champion, who helped in the foundation of the ClubSwan division. ‘Nautor’s Swan invests so much energy in the racing world that it made sense to set up a new division to handle and direct the effort. Racing is part of our DNA and we work very hard with great passion to create opportunities to enjoy the sport of sailing at its best with a very positive and energetic vibe. Owners will see the benefits immediately, with more stand-alone events for ClubSwan yachts this year, and seamless support offering every service an owner can dream of.’ The new branch is based in La Spezia and headed by Federico Michetti. ‘Our expert team puts good class rules at the heart of ClubSwan Racing to ensure great fun, full service and a great Corinthian spirit that we know our owners love,’ says Michetti, head of sports activities.
Tuscany Challenge
The two fleets of 13 ClubSwan 50s and 10 ClubSwan 36s enjoyed some closely matched and hotly contested racing. The action unfolded in the sheltered waters and steady sea breezes of the Gulf of Follonica, where 11 races on classic windward- leeward courses were staged over four days. The teams included some familiar faces alongside newcomers and represented many of the major yachting nations, with entries from
Above: the ClubSwan 36 fleet included an all-female team
representing Russia which included Olympic
sailors Sofia Bekatorou and Natalia Via Dufresne. The CS36
class enjoyed intense, closely matched
racing in both the Tuscany and Sardinia Challenges, with knife
edge victories secured in the last races at both events
Germany, Russia, Spain, Italy, Norway, the UK and more. Some of the world’s top sailors joined the fray, including America’s Cup skipper Francesco Bruni as tactician on the ClubSwan 36 Fra Martina and his Luna Rossa teammate Vasco Vascotto on the ClubSwan 50 Bronenosec. Many of the boats had pro sailors on board including Iker Martinez, Jesper Radich, Bouwe Bekking and Markus Wieser. ‘It’s great to have a lot of boats with the best names of the sailing circuit,’ said Vascotto. ‘There are plenty of Olympic champions and world championship sailors here.' Among the novelties of this one- of-a-kind circuit, the ClubSwan 36 fleet also has an all-female team aboard Skorpidi that included Olympic sailors Sofia Bekatorou and Natalia Via Dufresne. ‘It’s really important to have an all-female team,’ said Bekatorou. ‘Sailing is a very technical sport, so you can always find ways to work it out differently from the men. I believe in gender equality, and it’s still rare to have women on board because they are smaller and lighter. We feel very welcomed by the other teams here.’ Two general recalls were needed for the ClubSwan 50 class with many boats jumping the gun before the first day of racing got under way in a steady sea breeze. It became clear early on that the advantage was on the north side of the course but that
CLUB SWAN RACING/STUDIO BORLENGHI
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