A record fleet of 170 Swan yachts and more than 1,800 sailors has completed the 23rd Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo, bringing a week of racing marking Nautor Swan’s 60th anniversary to a close.
Among those involved in running the record-breaking regatta was Irish sailor Nigel Biggs, who was a race officer for the 106-boat coastal fleet. Biggs described it as “a great fleet in a stunning location” after returning from Porto Cervo.
The final day on Saturday, September 19th, produced clear skies and a north-easterly breeze building from eight to 12 knots, allowing the rating divisions to complete a coastal race while the ClubSwan One Design fleets sailed two windward-leeward races.
It followed Friday’s stronger Mistral conditions, which tightened several of the Rolex Swan Cup class battles ahead of the final day, as reported by Afloat.
The coastal fleet started in the Gulf of Arzachena, then raced along the eastern coast of Caprera and past Isola dei Monaci. The course continued through the Passo delle Bisce to Secca di Tre Monti before returning towards Porto Cervo.
At the same time, the ClubSwan fleets were racing between Isola delle Bisce and Isola dei Monaci, creating the unusual spectacle of much of the 170-boat fleet racing in the same area.
Freya Completes Swan Maxi Comeback
The Swan 90 Freya completed a notable comeback to win the Swan Maxi division. After placing sixth in the opening race, Freya recorded three consecutive victories, including Saturday’s finale ahead of Spiip, to secure the overall class win.
In Swan Mini-Maxi, Arobas, a Swan 601, took overall honours after a consistent series. Second place behind Sea Quill in the final race was sufficient to retain the lead.
The Swan 45 From Now On won Swan Cruiser Racer after three consecutive victories. From Now On and Thetis finished level on points.
Swan Song: The Rolex Swan Cup fleet races through the waters off Porto Cervo during the record-breaking 23rd edition. Photo: YCCS
Among the Swan Legacy divisions, Giuseppe Puttini’s Swan 65 Shirlaf won the Sparkman & Stephens ≥47’ category after a week-long battle with Elan.
Both boats recorded two wins and two second places, with Shirlaf’s victory in the final race settling the contest in the year that the Swan 65 celebrates the 50th anniversary of her launch.
Pride, a Swan 44, won the Sparkman & Stephens ≤44’ division and also took the overall Swan Legacy title after winning Saturday’s coastal race ahead of Mascalzone Latino XVIII.
The Austrian Swan 651 Lunz am Meer completed a dominant series with another victory to win the Classics by Frers division, while Swan 39 Katia, the only Ron Holland design at the event, competed in the Swan Legacy fleet.
In Swan Pure Cruising, Black Zero and Alegher finished tied, with the Swan 51 taking the overall prize on countback courtesy of her Day 2 race victory.
The Swan 78 Azzurro completed three consecutive wins to take Swan Maxi Pure Cruising.
Earlybird Leads ClubSwan Winners
In the One Design fleets, Earlybird, owned by Hendrik Brandis with Francesco “Checco” Bruni calling tactics, won the ClubSwan 50 division with five victories from seven races.
Cuordileone finished second overall after two runner-up results on the final day, with Marcus Brennecke’s Hatari third.
Hyppolite Machetti’s Team 42+1 won ClubSwan 43 following six consecutive victories and a second place in the final race, while Vargen finished runner-up.
The ClubSwan 42 title went down to the final race. Spanish entries Nadir, owned by Pedro Vaquer Comas, and Pez de Abril, owned by José Maria Meseguer, finished tied on 10 points and had identical score profiles: three firsts, two seconds and a third.
Nadir’s victory in the final race ultimately secured the title, with Pez de Abril second overall and Jerome Stubler’s Raving Swan third.
Cuordileone, owned by Edoardo Ferragamo with Michele Regolo calling tactics, won ClubSwan 36 after opening the series with four consecutive victories. Nikolai Burkart’s Goddess won the final three races to take second, with Fra Martina third.
The ClubSwan 28 contest was almost as close, with Giulio Gatti’s Anya Race, with Enrico Zennaro as tactician, winning by a single point from Lorenzo Bortolotti’s Black Swan. Marcello took third overall.
Swan Cup Returns in 2028
The Rolex Swan Cup is organised biennially by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Nautor Swan and title sponsor Rolex. First held in 1980, it has carried the Rolex Swan Cup name since 1984.
“This prize-giving brings to a close a week of great racing and, above all, exceptional commitment from owners and crews,” YCCS Commodore Andrea Recordati said.
“I would like to thank our partner Rolex and Nautor Swan, with whom we share both a longstanding relationship and a genuine passion for this event. Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this 23rd edition. We look forward to welcoming you back to Porto Cervo in 2028.”
Special awards included the Fabio Gallia Award, presented by Paul Cayard to Catherine Chabaud, who raced aboard the Swan 55 Storm. Chabaud was recognised as the first woman to complete the Vendée Globe and for her continuing work in marine conservation.
The Matteo Auguadro Award, given to a bowman selected by his fellow bowmen, went to Matteo Ramian.
The 24th Rolex Swan Cup is due to return to Porto Cervo in 2028.
