Style, Heritage, and Innovation

It is the largest, and most important, global meeting of Nautor’s Swan yachts. The fact that it only takes place once every two years adds even greater allure. An emblematic event in the sport of yachting, the Rolex Swan Cup continues to flourish. The 20th edition will welcome another sizeable international fleet, coming close to the event record of 125 yachts, set at the 2016 event.

Synonymous with style, heritage and innovation, the Rolex Swan Cup is defined by the historic, three-way partnership between Nautor’s Swan, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), and Rolex, whose association with sailing marks 60 years in 2018. The brand’s partnership with the Rolex Swan Cup since 1984 is the longest running event relationship in the Swiss watchmaker’s yachting portfolio.

A broad spectrum of Swan yachts will participate at this year’s regatta on September 11-16 in Porto Cervo, Italy. This highly respected brand represents a constant evolution in ideas and performance. A meticulous approach to design and construction embodies both tradition and the latest technological advancements, one of the uniting factors between Nautor’s Swan and Rolex.

The Rolex Swan Cup often serves as a premiere for Nautor’s Swan’s latest launches. The famed islands, challenging winds and stunning scenery together with the excellent organization by the YCCS Race Committee, provide an exacting and competitive environment for a new yacht to test her potential.

Falling into this category in 2018 is Haromi, the first iteration of one of Nautor’s latest models, the Swan 78, designed by Germán Frers Sr and launched in May.

Nautor’s Swan has recently reinforced its commitment to one design racing and, across three major championships, competition within this element of the fleet on the majestic waters of northeast Sardinia will be intense.

One of the exciting firsts in 2018 is an inaugural World Championship for the burgeoning Juan Kouyoumdjian-designed ClubSwan 50 class. Over ten entrants are expected to compete for the coveted first world crown. A similar number of yachts are expected to star in the Swan 45 World Championship while the ClubSwan 42 will contest its European Championship.

Away from the one design competitions, the entry list covers a wide range of the Swan family. The oldest registered entrant, Josian, winner of the first Rolex Middle Sea Race in 1968, is one of over 30 classic designs from the famed Sparkman & Stephens studio in New York.

The Sparkman & Stephens class at the Rolex Swan Cup offers clear evidence of the durability and robustness of Swan yachts, and the loving care their owners bestow on them. Within this class are ten examples of one of the marque’s most iconic and loved models – the Swan 65. During its heyday, the Swan 65 dominated round the world racing during the 1970s and was one of the largest racing yachts around.

Evolutions in design, technology and construction have enabled the emergence of massive yachts admired for their elegance, power and speed. Among the larger Swans expected to feature in September are the Swan 90 and 100.

The action on shore will enable the Swan family to embrace the spirit of fair play and camaraderie, with the five days of racing across One Design, Swan Maxi, Swan Grand Prix and Sparkman & Stephens Classics divisions concluding with the class winners awarded Rolex timepieces.

Event details: https://www.yccs.it/en/regate-2018/info/rolex_swan_cup-256.html