22nd Rolex Swan Cup Day 4: Only ClubSwan 36 Class Completes Race in Light Winds
by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda 20 Sep 11:15 PDT
15-21 September 2024
The ClubSwan 36 class races on the fourth day of the 22nd Rolex Swan Cup © YCCS / Daniele Macis
In splendid sunshine and facing forecasts of light winds adequate for racing, the Race Committee established a coastal course around the La Maddalena Archipelago for all classes, excluding the ClubSwan 28s and 36s, which were meant to finish windward-leeward races.
At 12 noon CEST, with a north-northeasterly breeze of 5 to 8 knots veering to the right, starting procedures commenced on both race courses. The gradually weakening breeze led the Race Committee, led by PRO Stuart Childerley, to first shorten the coastal course for all classes and then cancel the race when the wind dwindled to around 3 to 4 knots with further decreases anticipated. At that time, the Swan 60 CR Sea Quill was leading the fleet, followed by larger yachts that benefited from the tactical choice to sail further offshore and skilled handling in the light conditions.
A single race was completed for the ClubSwan 36 class on the windward-leeward course, in which Fra Martina, owned by the Pavesio brothers, earned 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 – finishing second today – and in third place, Lady Ghada, owned by Egyptian owner G.B. Ghada, with Mitch Booth, a two-time Olympic medallist in the Tornado class, on tactics.
Edoardo Pavesio, co-owner of Fra Martina, stated: “We found the ideal setup for these light wind conditions; the boat was very fast, and with the excellent work of tactician Rufo Bressani and the entire crew, we secured another victory today. Thank you to everyone.”
Ariane Mainemare, the PRO on the windward-leeward race course, managed to get the ClubSwan 28 boats off the starting line, but the declining breeze prevented the new one-design class from finishing the race.
Today was the last day on board for two athletes from the Young Azzurra sailing programme. Current Wingfoil world champion, 17-year-old Maddalena Spanu, expressed her enthusiasm for the experience: “It was very special because Wingfoiling is completely different from these large boats. Being able to see and experience firsthand how a team operates 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 allowing me to assist with the maneuvers; I felt like part of the team immediately.”
Cesare Barabino, a 22-year-old ILCA 7 athlete, shared similar positive insights: “I had previously encountered some Swans on the water, and they have always represented the quintessential sailing yacht, blending beauty and elegance. Having the honor of sailing and racing on the Swan 48 Mia, owned by YCCS member Luigi Stoppani, I can confirm that, apart from the beauty and elegance, the sensation of sailing on a Swan is incredible. The Young Azzurra sports program from YCCS supports me in many ways, in this case by helping me to become a more well-rounded sailor through diverse experiences, such as racing in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has provided these opportunities!”
This evening, all participants in the Rolex Swan Cup will attend the Rolex Dinner Party.
Tomorrow, the final day of the Rolex Swan Cup, racing is scheduled to commence at 12 noon CEST, with two windward-leeward races planned for all Swan One Design classes, while the rest of the fleet will race on a coastal course. Forecasts predict light winds from the east of 7 to 11 knots.
For more details, visit www.yccs.it
