The Swan One Design season begins in the Tuscan blue waters of Marina di Scarlino

"I'm thrilled to welcome an impressive number of passionate sailors to the 2024 edition of The Nations League. We are dedicated to enhancing the distinctive values that characterize our regattas: gentlemanly competition, fair racing at sea with fierce sailors striving to best represent their nation and of course, camaraderie and enjoyment ashore. Our goal is to make our races truly unique within the world of racing and sailing.” Comments Leonardo Ferragamo, Nautor Group President.

The Swan Tuscany Challenge (April 17-21), set against the backdrop of Swan's home of Marina di Scarlino, has the honour of officially opening the Swan One Design fleet's thrilling 2024 journey. This iconic venue, featuring a state-of-the-art resort and the adjacent Nautor Swan Global Service shipyard, provides unparalleled shore amenities and top-tier services. Organized by the esteemed Yacht Club Isole di Toscana, the inaugural regatta of 2024 will showcase fair competition in the ClubSwan 36 and ClubSwan 50 classes with 20 fierce teams, promising an exciting start to the season, with that all-Italian flavor so appreciated by Swan owners.

The event begins today, Thursday April 18th with the first ClubSwan 36 races and will be joined by the ClubSwan 50 tomorrow, together they will go along racing until Sunday April 21st, when the winners of Swan Tuscany Challenge will be crowned. The Nations League is not just sailing, as the sailors very well know, the After Race refreshments & Daily Prize Giving are always a hit among the crews. But the real deal this time will undoubtedly be the Swan Tuscany Challenge Opening Season Party at Marina di Scarlino on Friday, April 19th.

One of the happiest to be back on the water is four-time back-to-back Nations League winner, Marcus Brennecke, the German owner of ClubSwan 50 Hatari: “We are already looking forward to playing our part in holding on to the Nations League title even if every season the level of racing – passionate but friendly – goes up another notch, and it is getting harder and therefore more exciting. I am so proud of being part of ClubSwan 50 class that is looking like a fantastic and fairly competitive community of gentlemen and top world class sailors including Olympic and America's Cup sailors/winners. I cannot wait to explore new venues meanwhile I am excited to be welcoming new owners and new yachts this season.”

Among the newcomers, a female owner from Egypt, Ghada G. B. who literally was struck by the charming atmosphere of ClubSwan Racing events last year, and is going to take part for the whole season on board the ClubSwan 36 Lady Ghada, chartered with the Full ClubSwan Racing Concierge formula that allows you to charter the boat all inclusive, so that you just have to step on the boat, steer and enjoy.

DutchSail and Yacht Club Italiano, both ClubSwan 36, will also be joining the fleet for the first time in Scarlino. Both are youth teams, the first is coming from The Netherlands, is representing the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club, and will race with an all Under 26 crew with three women onboard; the latter is a group of young Olympic classes sailors, members of the oldest Yacht Club in Italy, and will be chaperoned for this first event by the more experienced Stefano Orlandi. The project is fully supported by ClubSwan Racing who truly believes it will be a good way to get youth and dinghy sailors able to race on bigger boats.

The fleet will then move to two new outstanding locations, Bonifacio (FRA) and Alghero (ITA), together with the well-established Spanish venues of Valencia and Palma de Mallorca.

The Swan One Design fleet will then head to the Swan Bonifacio Challenge (May 28 to June 01) in this picturesque Corsican gem. Set against the breath-taking backdrop of the namesake strait, where nature takes centre stage, the regattas are poised to unfold in this stunning, natural amphitheatre, where conditions can be really fun.

Next stop of the circuit will be the Swan Sardinia Challenge, 25-29 June in enchanting Alghero. The ancient charm of the old city will serve as the perfect surrounding for a glamorous event. The synergy between social events and the captivating cityscape of Alghero will surely deliver a unique fusion of sport and charm.

Well-known international regattas Trofeo S.M. La Reina (4-7 July) and Copa del Rey Mapfre (27 July- 03 August) will be home to ClubSwan Racing for July and August, when the ClubSwan 42 will be paying visits to two iconic treasured homes of yacht racing in the Mediterranean: Real Club Nautico de Valencia and Real Club Nautico de Palma, very popular with sailors and the ClubSwan community alike.

The highlight of the upcoming circuit is undoubtedly the 22nd edition of the Rolex Swan Cup (15-21 September), set to grace the incomparable shores of Porto Cervo once again. This extraordinary event is made possible thanks to a masterful and first-class cooperation, between Rolex, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) and Nautor Swan, a partnership celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. This seamless synergy represents a harmonious blend of expertise, passion, shared vision, and love for the sport of sailing. Showcasing all the Swan international fleets, both Rating and One Design, it will represent a week-long festival of sportsmanship, camaraderie and close racing. ClubSwan 43 and ClubSwan 28 will join the One Design family here.

The grand finale of the circuit is set to unfold in Palma de Mallorca (Swan One Design Worlds, 23-27 October), where the rich sailing heritage and race management expertise of Real Club Nautico de Palma await and the distinctive 'embat' (the local thermal breeze) will add an exhilarating element to the competition. This vibrant destination will serve as the stage where the World Champions will be crowned, marking the culmination of an exciting and challenging season.

ClubSwan 28: Small yet mighty, all eyes on the new model at its own event

The ClubSwan 28 Invitational Sardinia Challenge (31 October – 03 November) will witness the ClubSwan 28 in full glory, unleashing its power after a dazzling debut at the Rolex Swan Cup. Welcomed by the world-class Marina di Villasimius (Marinedi Group), racing will be held in the crystal-clear waters of the beautiful Capo Carbonara National Marine Park.

"The beginning of each new racing season fills us with immense thrill and excitement," says Federico Michetti, Head of Sports Activities at Nautor Swan. "Drawing from lessons learned in the past season, we are driven to continually raise the bar, aiming to offer participants the most memorable experiences of their lives. Our tireless efforts toward this aim extend not only within the ClubSwan Racing team but also through our invaluable partners Rolex, Randstad, Porsche and Henri Lloyd (just to name the main ones). Bound by a mutual passion for sailing and a profound appreciation for the sea, their constant support and dedication are essential in ensuring our events remain truly exceptional ".