Light airs mean only ClubSwan 36 class completes race at Rolex Swan Cup

 In glorious sunshine and with forecasts of winds on the light side, but sufficient for racing, the Race Committee set a coastal course around the La Maddalena Archipelago for all classes except the ClubSwan 28s and 36s, who were scheduled to complete windward-leewards. 

 At 12 noon CEST with a north-northeasterly breeze of 5 to 8 knots moving towards the right, the starting procedures began on both race courses. The increasingly light breeze prompted the Race Committee, headed by PRO Stuart Childerley, first to shorten the coastal course for all classes, and then to cancel the race when the wind died down to around 3 to 4 knots with a further drop expected. At that point the Swan 60 CR Sea Quill was leading the fleet, followed by the bigger yachts, thanks to the tactical decision to sail further off the coastline, and very shrewd handling in the light air.

A single race for the ClubSwan 36 class alone was completed on the windward-leeward course, in which Fra Martina, owned by the Pavesio brothers, secured her third victory of the series, finishing ahead of two boats helmed by female owner-drivers: Dje Kapital Iris, owned by Marie Helène Polo with Andrea Casale as tactician - second today - and in third place Lady Ghada, owned by Egyptian owner G.B. Ghada with Mitch Booth, two-time Olympic medallist in the Tornado class, on tactics. 

Edoardo Pavesio, co-owner of Fra Martina: “We found the ideal set-up for these light wind conditions, the boat was very fast and combined with the great work of tactician Rufo Bressani and the entire crew, we had another win today. Thank you to everyone.”

The PRO on the windward-leeward race course, Ariane Mainemare, also got the ClubSwan 28 boats off the starting line, but the failing breeze meant the new one-design class could not complete the race.

 Today marked the last day on board for two of the athletes from the Young Azzurra sailing programme. Reigning Wingfoil world champion, 17-year-old Maddalena Spanu was enthusiastic about the experience: “It was very special, because Wingfoiling is totally different from these big boats, being able to see and experience first-hand how a team works really taught me a lot. I’d like to thank the YCCS for this opportunity and all the crew on Sea Quill for welcoming me and letting me help with the manoeuvres, I felt part of the group straight away.”

 Cesare Barabino, a 22-year-old ILCA 7 athlete, had similarly positive comments: “I’d already come across some Swans on the water and they always gave me the idea of the sailing yacht par excellence, combining beauty and elegance. Having had the honour of sailing and racing on the Swan 48 Mia, owned by YCCS member Luigi Stoppani, I can confirm that, aside from the beauty and elegance, the feeling of sailing on a Swan is incredible. The YCCS Young Azzurra sports programme supports me in so many ways, in this case by helping me become a more rounded sailor through different experiences, such as racing in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. A big thank you to everyone who has given me these opportunities!”

 This evening all Rolex Swan Cup participants will attend the Rolex Dinner Party. 

Tomorrow, the final day of the Rolex Swan Cup, racing is scheduled to start at 12 noon CEST, with two windward-leeward races set for all Swan One Design classes, while the remainder of the fleet will race on a coastal course. Forecasts indicate light winds from the east of 7 to 11 knots.