All sports have events in their calendars that transcend the sport itself, that embrace a sense of community which links participants in a shared experience, along with those who witness and support it.
Yacht racing of course has its contenders for this transcendental crown, and the Rolex Swan Cup has been successfully stating its own claim for the honour every two years since 1980 — and will do so again at its 22nd edition from September 15-21 in Porto Cervo with more than 100 examples of the Nautor Swan range already entered.
The regatta will also mark a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the partnership between Rolex, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) and Nautor Swan. To commemorate these first 40 years together a photographic exhibition will be held in Piazza Azzurra tracing the values which underpin this iconic regatta and have united Rolex, YCCS and Nautor Swan for four decades. It will be a journey of emotions and memories, celebrating the past with a clear view to the future.
"Our partnership with Rolex and the YCCS has been a long and successful celebration of shared values and constant innovation that has established a landmark in the world of sailing and sport,” said Nautor Group President Leonardo Ferragamo. “It has been and is an example of gentlemanly yet real competition, elegance and friendship. I am happy to welcome so many passionate sailors to this exciting new edition!"
A gathering of friends
Sardinia's friendly and exclusive Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has long been described as the Swan fleet's spiritual home, and it fully deserves the title with its seemingly effortless delivery of elegance, sophistication and efficiency — rather like a Swan yacht it might be said.
Combine this with the magnificent sailing area around Sardinia's spectacular and scenic northern coasts, and it is easy to appreciate the firm foundations supporting this long-standing collaboration.
Within such a secure setting the camaraderie between Swan owners and sailors has blossomed, with the spirit imbued in the iconic brand extending out into friendly competition on the water, and then refreshed ashore as old and new friends share and celebrate the Swan experience.
The 2024 edition will once again welcome members of the Swan family from all over the planet, with models from the extensive range spanning from the smallest — and most recent addition — the ClubSwan 28 to one of the Maxis, the 27.7m Swan 90 Freya.
Her owner Donald Macpherson celebrated winning the Maxi class in 2022 with words that went directly to the heart of the event: "It was an incredible week, and all the boats and competitors were really fantastic. Success in sailing, the Rolex Swan Cup, Porto Cervo, the YCCS, there is nothing better."
It is a view fully shared at the lower end of the LOA range. Giulio Gatti, the owner of Anya Race one of the new CS28s, as well as a Swan 48 Anya, said: "Being part of the Swan racing world has been a marvellous experience, and the Rolex Swan Cup is a jewel in the crown for the whole Swan world, which is a club and a family. As one of the first owners of the new ClubSwan 28s I cannot wait until we take to the water in Sardinia again."
Out on the racecourse
With the emphasis firmly set on friendly and fair racing, the Rolex Swan Cup has introduced a few imaginative changes in 2024 to enhance the experience.
Overall the fleet is divided into two groups with Group 1 hosting the Rating classes, split into three divisions: Maxi, Swan and Sparkman & Stephens, each further divided into classes. In one of the new changes, the fleet will not only be divided by size, as in the past, but also depending on how racing orientated each entry is. The idea here is to maximise the fun for all, aiming to avoid having a full-on racing machine amid a class of Corinthian if competitive entries, and vice versa.
Meanwhile Group 2 will feature the more racing focused Swan One Design models with classes including the ClubSwan 50, ClubSwan 36 and ClubSwan 28. In addition the Swan One Design Grand Prix class has been created to cater for other Swan OD classes like the Swan 45 and ClubSwan 42.
The final innovation to this year's event is that racing will now take place over five consecutive days — 17 to 21 September — with no lay-day, so finishing on a Saturday giving owners and crews a more convenient journey home.
This change is of particular benefit to those travelling long distances to attend, none more so than Mr Watanabe, who will be racing onboard Swan 68 Defiance: "My relationship with Mr. Ferragamo started when my company Riviera became the exclusive dealer in Japan of the Swan brand.
"I am looking forward to meeting and communicating with many people who share the Swan spirit and values, not only through the racing, but also through attending owner's meetings and Rolex parties in Porto Cervo.
"I want to absorb the passion and spirit of yachting that I see, hear, and feel at the venue, as well as observe and learn about the operation of the event, and use this knowledge for the first Swan race event in Asia, which we will hold in Japan in the near future."
The Rating entries in Group 1 will be able to enjoy the spectacular Costa Smeralda coastline on daily coastal races, while the One-Design family will take on a mix of windward-leeward races and two coastal race days.
It is a combination that has delighted a new member of the ClubSwan 36 fleet, Ghada G. Barsoum, who has chartered Lady Ghada for the season: "I am in love with Lady Ghada. I am incredibly proud to represent my country, Egypt, and to be a woman at the helm. This drives me to push my limits and take on new challenges with a fantastic crew. A few months ago, I could never have imagined myself steering such a fast and performing boat, and now, thanks to ClubSwan Racing, I can enjoy the excitement of surfing and skimming the waves."
And back on shore
The social side ashore has always been an integral part of the Swan experience, and the Rolex Swan Cup takes it to an exceptional level — aided by the sophisticated surroundings of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
Adjoining The YCCS Clubhouse, the Piazza Azzurra square is at the heart of events, most particularly for the after-race refreshments where tales can be told and congratulations — or sympathies— offered in an always convivial atmosphere.
The YCCS Clubhouse itself will provide the inspiring setting for both the Welcome Cocktail on the Monday and Owners' Dinner on the Thursday, with the YCCS Regatta Village hosting the celebratory Final Prize Giving. Friday’s Rolex Dinner Party will undoubtedly be a highlight of the week at a venue yet to be revealed.
Thanks go to
ClubSwan Racing, as organiser of the season-long The Swan One Design Nations League series, which includes Rolex Swan Cup, would like to highlight the essential support provided by their main partners Rolex, Randstad, Porsche, Henri Lloyd, Ferragamo and Banor.
Marking a special commitment, the Randstad Sailing Team will be racing onboard the Swan 82 Kallima for the 2024 Rolex Swan Cup. “Sailing stands for leadership, communication skills, trust, and flexibility," says Angela Tenerelli, Marketing & Communication Director of Randstad Italia. "Competing in the Rolex Swan Cup 2024 allows us to showcase these values and offer selected companies the opportunity to experience sailing firsthand.”
A prestigious crew will be racing aboard Kallima - Randstad Sailing Team, including the legendary Paul Cayard, globally renowned sailor Tommaso Chieffi, and multiple world champion and Head of Swan OD Sport Activities, Federico Michetti.
Regatta Schedule:
Sunday, 15 Sept.
Inspection, Registration & Measurements
Monday, 16 Sept.
Inspection, Registration & Measurements
Practice Race for OD Classes
Tuesday, 17 Sept.
Races
Wednesday, 18 Sept.
Islands Race
Thursday, 19 Sept.
Races
Friday, 20 Sept.
Islands Race
Saturday, 21 Sept.
Races
Final Prize Giving
The Nations League is made possible thanks to its main partners, Rolex, Randstad, Porsche Italia and Banor, as well as technical sponsors Quantum Sails, North Sails, Doyle Sails, Garmin, Sailmon, B&G, Gottifredi Maffioli, AON, Ethimo, and Ferrari Trento.