Excitement builds ahead of ClubSwan Racing’s season opener

by ClubSwan Apr 2 7:16 AM PDT
April 26-30, 2022

Excitement is building as the 2022 ClubSwan Racing season fast approaches and promises another fun-filled, high-adrenaline rush of competition across six spectacular Mediterranean venues.

• Swan Tuscany Challenge in less than a month
• The home of Nautor’s Swan in the Med is the first of six spectacular sites
• New owners from Japan and Brazil set to join growing fleet
• The ClubSwan 50 class is on course to break the season entry record

With less than a month to go for the opening regatta – the Swan Tuscany Challenge (April 26-30) – anticipation within the Nautor’s Swan community of an intense year of competitive sailing, alongside exclusive and memorable events on the ground, increases day by day.

Competition will also be renewed for the hotly contested Nations League title, with the top yachts adding points to their country’s tally throughout the season. In 2021, Germany tops the ranking ahead of Italy and 17 other countries, while to date no less than 21 nations will be represented in 2022.

Meanwhile, Nautor’s Swan’s world-class race management team is preparing to welcome several new owners and boats to the ClubSwan Racing family, including entries from Japan, Brazil, Spain, Romania and Monaco in the four one-design classes: ClubSwan 36, ClubSwan 42, Swan 45 and ClubSwan 50.

Scarlino is ready to kick off the season

The first for the ClubSwan fleet is the Swan Tuscany Challenge (April 26-30) to be held at Swan’s home in the Mediterranean, Scarlino. Located in the heart of the beautiful countryside of the Tuscan region with its famous vineyards, Marina di Scarlino, its seaside resort and the adjacent Nautor’s Swan Global Service Scarlino shipyard, offer world-class shore facilities and services.

The 2022 opening regatta – organized by Yacht Club Isole di Toscana in collaboration with ClubSwan Racing – will offer the ClubSwan 36 and ClubSwan 50 classes full action in the Gulf of Follonica, as well as top-notch entertainment and facilities ashore .

As always, Swan’s inclusive community will be home to many professional racing sailors, many with Olympic, America’s Cup and Ocean Race experience, who will compete alongside the talented and passionate yachtsmen who are at the heart of the Swan experience.

Among the former, the Spanish sailor, Olympic gold medalist Iker Martinez, tactician on the ClubSwan 50 Ulika: “Swan is such an emblematic brand that it is always a pleasure to race on these boats, and the incredible development of the fleet one-design, notably the ClubSwan 50s, added something truly special to the mix. The competition is going to be intense – and fun!”

The national park will provide a beautiful Sardinian setting

The ClubSwan fleet – joined by the Swan 45 class – will then head to the Swan Sardinia Challenge (31 May-4 June) and the crystal clear waters of Villasimius – a sensational holiday destination even by Sardinian standards. It will be a new venue for the League of Nations, and based in the world-class Marina di Villasimius, a Marinedi Group company, the races will take place in the beautiful Capo Carbonara National Marine Park, under the organization of the Lega Navale by Villasimius.

A record 20+ entry is expected in the already competitive ClubSwan 50 class, a development hailed by Marcus Brennecke, the German owner of the 2021 class-winning Hatari.

“Last year was great and 2022 is already shaping up to be even better,” he said. “We look forward to playing our part in retaining the Nations League title for Germany for a second year.

“I’m thrilled to continue my journey in what looks like a fantastic, super competitive class, and it’s exciting to welcome a few new owners this season.”

Spain’s midsummer regattas offer a true test of talent

Then comes the third edition of the Swan One Design Worlds (July 5-9) in Valencia. Organized by the Real Club Náutico de Valencia, it will be a clash of titans to decide the world champions in each of the ClubSwan classes.

Next, head to the Copa del Rey in Palma de Mallorca (August 1-6), an event popular with professional sailors and enthusiastic sailors from Corinth, and celebrating the 40th edition of the Royal Regatta this year. from Spain.

“This year’s World Championship will take place in July at one of the most attractive racetracks in the world,” said Federico Michetti, Head of Sports Operations at ClubSwan Racing.

“We chose Valencia because the venue offers all the ingredients that make for a sportingly successful and fun event. The event itself will crown the world champions for each One Design class and we are very excited about it.

“We will then head to Palma de Mallorca for the Copa del Rey, another milestone on our calendar. Nautor and Real Club Náutico de Palma have a long-term partnership and that, in addition to having a large number of swans in competition, and the professionalism of the RCNP team are just some of the things that make us feel at home.”

The highlight of the swan season in Porto Cervo combines all the elements of success

Located in one of the most attractive locations in the world, the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia (September 11-18) has all the ingredients to be a spectacular success: a diverse international fleet featuring the Swan range, a range of dedicated owners, pros and amateurs, a stunning yacht club and a title sponsor renowned for its excellent products.

In a Sardinian paradise, the 21st edition of this unmissable regatta once again brings together a dynamic trio – the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Nautor’s Swan and Rolex – for a week-long festival of sportsmanship, camaraderie and fiery racing.

The highly anticipated Swan family gathering will, as always, showcase the inspiring range of Swan yachts built over the company’s 56-year history. The fleet will be divided into seven different racing classes: the Swan Maxi class (60ft and over), the Swan Grand Prix class (under 60ft), the Sparkman & Stephens class and the four Swan One Design classes – ClubSwan 36, ClubSwan 42, Swan 45 and ClubSwan 50.

“The Rolex Swan Cup is one of Nautor’s Swan’s flagship events, and after the cancellation of the 2020 edition, we are amazed at the response we have already had in terms of attendance,” said Giovanni Pomati, CEO of the Nautor group.

“Having all generations of Swans in one place is inspiring and exciting for us. It’s like watching a movie about how our brand has evolved over the decades with the same quality elements. , elegance, innovation, performance and reliability that make a Swan unique.”

Croatian decider for ClubSwan 36 riders

For the ultra-competitive ClubSwan36 fleet, there’s one last hurray for their year of racing, when they gather for the ClubSwan 36 Europeans (October 4-8) in Split, Croatia, the 2022 championship decider, and a great way to end the racing season.

“Swans have always had a great racing pedigree, and the ClubSwan 36 class has taken that to another level by producing fantastic racing in great boats,” said Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, owner of the winning ClubSwan 36 G Spot. of the class of 2021.

“We look forward to great competition throughout the season, rekindling rivalries on the circuit and friendships on land. It will be quite a race until we come to the end of our season in Croatia.”

ClubSwan Racing is a global affair

Alongside the One Design racing calendar, ClubSwan Racing has also created a number of multi-event regional Swan Series to bring together the Swan owner community at competitive events in their region and to recognize the top performing boats of the season. .

The Swan Series portfolio includes the Solent Series, Baltic Series, North American Series and Mediterranean Series.

Combined with the Swan Maxi Series, with regatta venues in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, ClubSwan Racing offers the passionate community of Swan owners and sailors a spectacular range of competitive events.