Scarlino Swan One Design: all to play for in Scarlino
Scarlino Swan One Design: all to play for in Scarlino
Scarlino Swan One Design, the second juncture of The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League 2019, has reached its halfway point following five races over the first two days. In the true characteristics of Nautor’s Swan One Design competition, racing has been closely-fought, unpredictable, enthralling, and provided crews with the opportunity to test themselves on challenging courses.
As well as being an integral chapter of the racing season, Scarlino Swan One Design has another major, more long-term significance, as it marks Nautor’s Swan’s first sustainable regatta. With the support of partner Marevivo, Nautor’s Swan has launched a number of initiatives including providing all competitors with reusable materials and guidelines on eco-friendly practices. “Being one of the stakeholders of the world of sailing we have a responsibility to be part of this great process of sustainability in the seas,” explains the company’s Vice-President Enrico Chieffi. “At Swan we have a deep feeling for culture and sustainability is quite naturally part of it.”
Mr Chieffi highlights that the measures adopted this week, and at all future Nautor’s Swan regattas, are designed to make an impact beyond the timeframe of the events themselves. “These are great opportunities to make sustainability a reality not only on the racecourses and during regattas. We can also directly engage with people to physically make a difference. It is a great ‘training course’ in a way, as the sailors here this week will go to other events and places in the world with this in mind. They will spread the word so it becomes a virtuous circle growing quickly through the sailing community.” This commitment to sustainable practices unites all of Nautor’s Swan’s event partners: Banor, Ferrari Trento, SEASE and hosts of the regatta Marina di Scarlino.
Day 2: Racing
Following a brief wait this afternoon for the wind to build, conditions proved stable for today’s two races, 6-7 knots at the start, later increasing to 10-11 knots. The Race Committee again provided the fleet with challenging windward/leeward courses built around a target time of an hour. After the second day of competition, the following yachts lead their respective standings:
ClubSwan 50: Cuordileone (Italy)
Swan 45: Porron IX (Spain)
ClubSwan 42: Far Star (Italy)
ClubSwan 50
Five races, five different winners. The competition’s open nature is one of the many reasons it has captured the imagination of those taking part. Triumphant in yesterday’s third and final race, Mathilde (Switzerland), had lost none of that momentum overnight making the best start to today’s opening race. Meanwhile, yesterday’s star performer, Earlybird (Germany), found herself uncharacteristically back of the pack, a position she never recovered from, finishing tenth. As the race evolved the decisive duel was defined: Italian yachts Cuordileone and Ulika (winner of yesterday’s second race) contested first place with Leonardo Ferragamo’s crew – overall winner of April’s Monaco Swan One Design – able to seal victory on the downwind leg to claim a first bullet of the season. Come race two, August Schram’s Stella Maris – who had not finished higher than sixth - crossed the finish line a mere second ahead of Mathilde to take the win.
A first and a fourth in today’s races ensure Cuordileone, top performer, leads the standings. Tactician Ken Read is pleased with the week so far. “It was our goal at the beginning of a long regatta, nine races, to be consistent and play the long game. It is working so far although there is still a long way to go. We’re one of the faster boats most of the time, which says a lot about our sail trimmers and Leonardo driving the boat.”
The closeness of the racing also had its impact. Yesterday Perhonen (Great Britain) was forced to abandon competition during the second race. Thanks to the efficient overnight service of the Nautor’s Swan Customer Care team at Scarlino Yacht Service, she was able to return to racing today. An incident involving Drifter Sail (Italy) and OneGroup (Germany) forced the two crews to return to the docks before completing the final race today. They too will hope for a similarly prompt return to action.
Current Leaderboard (after five races)
1. Cuordileone (Italy), 15 points
2. Mathilde (Switzerland),17 points
3. Earlybird (Germany), 23 points
Swan 45
Just three points separate the three leading yachts. Following a fifth place in today’s opening race, Lennard van Oeveren’s Motions (Netherlands) bounced back to win race two, her second victory of the Scarlino regatta. Tea Ekengren-Saurén’s Blue Nights (Finland) is the epitome of consistency, having registered four straight third places. Luis Senis’s World Champion Porron IX heads the standings having won two races and claimed two second places during the regatta. Her navigator Bruno Zirilli is enjoying the level of competition between the six-strong fleet, explaining: “Our boat speed was good today. We won the first race easily and then the second race was more even. The boats are almost equal, one day a boat can finish last and then first the next day. For the rest of the regatta, we need to continue to sail smart.” Fever (Germany) with two second places proved the top performer today.
Current Leaderboard (after five races)
1. Porron IX (Spain), 10 points
2. Motions (Netherlands),13 points
3. Blue Nights (Finland),13 points
ClubSwan 42
Following a tremendous day yesterday, Fantaghiro’ (Italy) registered a sixth and a third allowing Far Star, winner of today’s first race, and Natalia (Romania) to surpass her in the standings. Koyré - Spirit of Nerina (Italy), with a second and a first, was today’s best performer. Competition is incredibly well-poised with just five points separating the first five yachts. “Scarlino is a fine place to race, the hospitality is great,” explains Far Star tactician Branko Brcin. “It was not easy today, we started well controlling the first race. In the second race during the wind shifts we were not in a good position and lost ground. The crews are all very good. It is beautiful when there are so many boats close together.”
Current Leaderboard (after five races)
1. Far Star (Italy), 14 points
2. Natalia (Romania), 14 points
3. Fantaghiro’ (Italy),15 points
The third day of racing is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday 3 May. It will be followed at 17:30 by the eagerly-anticipated worldwide première of the ClubSwan 36. Racing concludes on Saturday 4 May.
