Rolex + Swan + YCCS = Gentleman’s Regatta

The Rolex Swan Cup is a traditional sailing regatta in one of the most beautiful sailing venues in the world – Porto Cervo in Sardinia. Teams from 21 different nations make up the 93-boat fleet, with the racing to begin on Tuesday.

The high number of entries demonstrates the enduring success of one of the great partnerships in sailing – the 2014 edition marking the 30th anniversary of the collaboration between Rolex, Nautor’s Swan and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

Racing takes place over five days for the six competing divisions – a fleet which represents over forty years of Nautor’s Swan history and includes models ranging from classic Sparkman and Stephens designs to sleek Swan 60s and from luxurious cruising yachts to the competitive Swan 42 and Swan 45 one-design fleets.

Racing is expected to be particularly exciting in the 8-boat Swan 45 division, who will be competing for the coveted World Championship title. The 12-boat Swan 42 fleet, four of which shipped from USA, should also provide spirited racing.

The Swan 42 and 45 one-designs will race on a mixture of windward-leeward and coastal courses while the remaining divisions – Swan Maxi (over 60 feet); Swan Grand Prix (under 60 feet); Swan 60 and Swan Classic (Sparkman & Stephens) – will complete coastal courses using the many granite islands of the La Maddalena archipelago as natural buoys.

The beauty of the Rolex Swan Cup is that it remains a gentleman’s regatta – great competition on the water but with all rivalries left at the dock. In the evening it’s about having fun, sharing stories over drinks and dinner. Some owners are racing with their children, some with their parents, some with both. There are plenty of big-name competitors here from the professional world too, America’s Cup veterans such as Tommaso Chieffi, Paolo Cian, Hamish Pepper and Jochen Schümann.

The first signal for racing is scheduled for 11.30 a.m., Tuesday September 9. A light westerly breeze is predicted.

Event website – Entry list