The record 170-yacht fleet assembled in Porto Cervo for the 23rd Rolex Swan Cup has completed its first day of racing, with light winds producing a shortened coastal programme off Sardinia.
As Afloat reported ahead of the regatta, this year's gathering marks Nautor Swan's 60th anniversary and brings together more than 90 Swan models spanning six decades of production.
Some 1,800 sailors are taking part in what is the largest gathering of Swans in the history of the event.
Light Winds for Opening Coastal Race
With light conditions forecast for Wednesday, the 16th of September, the Race Committee set a short coastal race for the main fleet.
Starting from the Gulf of Arzachena, the yachts – divided into their respective classes – sailed upwind through the Passo delle Bisce before heading to the lighthouse at Isola dei Monaci and the finish.
For the three Swan Maxi classes, the course was extended to include a mark off Porto Cervo followed by a reaching leg to Isola dei Monaci, for a total distance of 9.6 miles.
More than 100 Swans tacking through the Passo delle Bisce provided one of the principal spectacles of the opening day's racing.
Black Swan Takes ClubSwan 28 Opener
Windward-leeward racing had been scheduled for the ClubSwan One Design classes, but the very light breeze meant only the ClubSwan 28 fleet was able to complete a race.
Swan Parade: Spinnakers fill among the rocky islands off Sardinia as the Rolex Swan Cup fleet gets underway in light conditions on its opening day. Photo: Studio Borlenghi
Lorenzo Bortolotti's Black Swan took the opening victory ahead of Swing and Anya Race.
In the larger divisions, BeCool won Swan Maxi Division A, while Cloudy 7 headed Swan Mini-Maxi Division A.
Elan won the Sparkman & Stephens section of Swan Legacy Division B, while Lunz am Meer took the Classics by Frers section.
Luca F topped Swan Pure Cruising Division D, with Coco De Mer winning Swan Maxi Pure Cruising Division D.
Six Decades of Swan
The anniversary fleet ranges from early Sparkman & Stephens designs to the latest Swan Maxis and ClubSwan racers.
Among the historic yachts highlighted in Afloat's preview is Tarantella, Swan 36-001 and the first Swan ever built, while the other end of the size range includes the Swan 128s BeCool and Raijin.
Another veteran design attracting attention this week is the Swan 65 Force 9, which is racing with a notably young crew.
Four of those aboard completed the 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race, while another eight are taking part in the Rolex Swan Cup as part of a selection process for the next edition of the round-the-world event in 2027.
Racing was followed ashore by a meet-and-greet with American sailor Paul Cayard in Piazza Azzurra at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
Star Attraction: American sailing legend Paul Cayard speaks at a meet-and-greet in Piazza Azzurra following the opening day's racing at the Rolex Swan Cup. Photo: Daniele Macis
Cayard, a YCCS honorary member, Rolex Testimonee and Nautor Swan ambassador, spoke about his passion for the Star class and the role it has played in his sailing career.
Conditions are expected to change significantly for Thursday's racing, with the first starting signal scheduled for noon CEST and a mistral of 14 to 18 knots forecast, with gusts exceeding 20 knots.
