A record fleet of 170 Nautor Swan yachts has filled every available berth in Porto Cervo for the 23rd Rolex Swan Cup, as the Finnish shipyard celebrates its 60th anniversary. Organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Nautor Swan and title sponsor Rolex, the regatta began just as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup wrapped up on Saturday.
The anniversary celebrations opened with the "Dance of the Swans", with all 170 boats sailing in formation around Isola dei Monaci in the La Maddalena Archipelago. The display was dedicated to the memory of sailing photographer Carlo Borlenghi, who recently passed away.
Racing proper starts tomorrow with a noon CEST signal, following tonight's Skippers' Briefing and Welcome Cocktail on the YCCS terrace.
The fleet spans Nautor Swan's entire 60-year history. Tarantella, the Swan 36-001 and the shipyard's first-ever yacht, sits at one end, restored for her 60th birthday. At the other end are two new Swan 128s, Be Cool and Raijin, plus the newly launched Swan 80 Elvi, all Germán Frers designs.
Among the historic entries is Translated 9, owned by Marco Trombetti and Isabelle Andrieu. Launched in 1974 as ADC Accutrac, she was skippered by British sailor Clare Francis to fifth in the 1977-78 Whitbread Round the World Race, and will race the 2027 Ocean Globe Race following her return to ocean racing.
Racing uses five real-time one-design classes, ClubSwan 50, 43, 42, 36 and 28, while the remaining classes race under ORC rating.
Several well-known sailors are in the afterguards this week. Paul Cayard, skipper of Il Moro di Venezia in the 1992 America's Cup, calls tactics on Cuordileone. Ed Baird, helmsman of Alinghi's 2007 America's Cup win, sails aboard Perhonen. Vasco Vascotto and Guillermo Parada are aboard Be Cool.
"It's a genuine pleasure to welcome a record-breaking fleet to Porto Cervo in such a significant year, the 60th anniversary of Nautor Swan," said Andrea Recordati, Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. "The Rolex Swan Cup holds a special place in our Club's history, bringing together different generations of yachts and sailors, from the boats that shaped the yard's history to the latest racing and cruising models, united by a spirit that goes far beyond competition."
Light easterlies are forecast for Wednesday's opening race day. A strong Mistral may arrive by Thursday, which could make the Islands Race especially tough.
Prize-giving is set for Saturday 19 September at 5.30pm in Piazza Azzurra, bringing the curtain down on a week built as much around memory and milestone as around racing.
