The Yacht Club Isole di Toscana racing season kicked off with a weekend dedicated to the Swan One Designs, during which nine ClubSwan 50s tested their technical skills in the gulf, in front of Marina di Scarlino, to get prepared for The Nations League circuit 2023, which will see its beginning in the Sardinian waters of Villasimius in just one month's time.
The weekend program consisted of a series of training-races, preceded by starting sequences, in which the teams were able to finalize the setup and test sails and materials. Several sailors of international caliber who, together with representatives of the main sailmakers, made this weekend a real hotbed in view of the imminent start of the season. At the end of an intensive 3-days, the teams left Marina di Scarlino satisfied with the opportunity enjoyed.
The conditions, in fact, were the most varied. Starting fom a building mistral wind on the first day, with three races disputed between 10 and 18 knots, a meteorologically complex day was the second day, while a grand finale with Northerly breeze permitted to sail three gorgeous races on Sunday.
Well done to the leading team of The Nations League both in 2021 and 2022, the German HATARI (Marcus Brennecke), that got off on the right foot, with the German Markus Wieser as tactician, assisted by the well-known New Zealand America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race athlete, Ross Halcrow, and by the navigator Michele Ivaldi (ex Luna Rossa, TP52 Quantum Racing).
There was no shortage of internationally renowned sailors on board the other boats, including the Italian Drifter Sail with the Laser and Star olympic sailor (as well as Star World Champion), Diego Negri (ITA) that got 2nd place, and a fierce Earlybird which from this year has multi-medalist Laser and Star Robert Scheidt (BRA) calling tactics, finishing in 3rd position.
As parterre-de-roi, not least Moonlight, with the American Andy Horton as tactician, or Perhonen who lines up Adrian Stead (GBR).
The season will proceed with the 52 Super Series Scarlino Sailing Week, to be held from May 29 to June 03.
ClubSwan 50 will be back to the Yacht Club Isole di Toscana for a great end-of-season, to attend the Swan One Design Worlds, to take place on October 10 to 14.
The Yacht Club Isole di Toscana counts on the support of the Municipality of Scarlino, Marina di Scarlino and Resort Baia Scarlino.