Tuscany’s exquisite coastline is the backdrop for the much-anticipated opening regatta in what promises to be an exciting and ultra-competitive ClubSwan Racing season.
A fleet of more than 20 ClubSwan yachts have gathered for the Swan Tuscany Challenge in the Marina di Scarlino, the home of Swan in the Mediterranean.
Owners and crews – which include both driven Corinthian sailors racing alongside top-flight professionals – can take advantage of the world class facilities at Nautor’s Swan Global Service shipyard – Scarlino hub, the Marina di Scarlino’s impressive resort amenities, and of course the Tuscan region’s beautiful countryside and renowned wineries.
The 2022 season opener will see full-blown racing action out on the Gulf of Follonica organised by the experienced race management teams of Yacht Club Isole di Toscana and ClubSwan Racing, with a warm welcome waiting ashore over five days of racing.
“At Marina di Scarlino we are delighted to welcome the opening event of The Nations League 2022, the Swan Tuscany Challenge,” said Stefan Neuhaus, General Manager of Marina di Scarlino.
“Our team is working hard to give ClubSwan owners and crews the best welcome, both at the marina, and throughout the resort. We would like the Swan One-Design teams to feel Marina di Scarlino is a home away from home, and we are ready to meet all their needs. We are sure that our sheltered bay will deliver fair and exciting racing!”
Among the planned shoreside social festivities are the opening ceremony on Tuesday 26 April, an exclusive owners’ Ferrari wine tasting followed by a crew party on the Friday, and the celebratory prize-giving on Saturday 30 April.
The unique ClubSwan Racing division is designed to provide Swan owners around the world with dedicated stand-alone regattas incorporating one-design racing as well as unprecedented levels of service and support, both ashore and afloat.
For the Swan Tuscany Challenge 13 ClubSwan 50s and seven of the ultra-modern ClubSwan 36s have registered. Among the ClubSwan 50s are Graeme Peterson’s recently launched Moonlight, making her regatta debut, and George and Natalia Brailoiu’s Natalia, the Romanian team also making a class debut having scaled up from a ClubSwan 42.
Meanwhile the ClubSwan 36 class welcomes back Haakon Lorentzen and his Brazil-flagged Mamao, returning for the first time in two years following the easing of travel restrictions, one of several entries out to challenge the 2021 champion G-Spot.
An early indication of possible form came with the Scarlino Warm Up event at the end of March, which saw Fra Martina taking top spot in the ClubSwan 36 class, while in the ClubSwan 50 fleet reigning world champion Marcus Brennecke’s Hatari put down a solid marker taking four wins in seven races to finish ahead of Louis Balcaen’s Balthasar and Andrea Bianchedi’s Drifter Sail.
“Once again the Swan Tuscany Challenge is the launchpad for another amazing season which will run all the way through to the ClubSwan 36 Europeans in October,” said Federico Michetti, Head of Sport Activities at ClubSwan Racing.
“The warm-up regatta last month showed that there is an undimmed enthusiasm for the kind of event that ClubSwan Racing can deliver, and we are confident that we will provide a great experience on and off the water at the Swan Tuscany Challenge and beyond.“
31 March 2022
Excitement Builds ahead of 2022 ClubSwan Racing season opener
Excitement is building as the fast-approaching 2022 ClubSwan Racing season promises a further helping of fun and high-adrenaline competition at six spectacular Mediterranean venues.
With less than a month to go to the opening regatta – the Swan Tuscany Challenge (26-30 April) – anticipation within the Nautor’s Swan community of an intense year of competitive sailing, alongside exclusive and memorable shoreside events, is increasing by the day.
The competition will also be renewed for the hotly contested Nations League title, with top-scoring yachts adding points to their country’s tally throughout the 2022 ClubSwan Racing season. In 2021 Germany topped the table ahead of Italy and 17 other countries, while to date no fewer than 21 nations will be represented in 2022.
Meanwhile, Nautor’s Swan world-class race management team is getting ready to welcome several new owners and boats to the ClubSwan Racing family, including entries from Japan, Brazil, Spain, Romania, and Monaco across the four one-design classes: ClubSwan 36, ClubSwan 42, Swan 45 and ClubSwan 50.
Scarlino all set to get the 2022 ClubSwan Racing season started
First, up for the ClubSwan fleet is the Swan Tuscany Challenge (26-30 April) which will be held in the home of Swan in the Mediterranean, Scarlino. Located in the heart of the Tuscan region’s beautiful countryside with its famed wineries, Marina di Scarlino, its resort, and adjacent Nautor’s Swan Global Service Scarlino shipyard offer world-class shore amenities and services.
The opening 2022 regatta – organized by the Yacht Club Isole di Toscana together with ClubSwan Racing – will offer the ClubSwan 36 and ClubSwan 50 classes full-on action out on the Gulf of Follonica alongside top-line entertainment and facilities ashore.
As ever, the inclusive Swan community will welcome numerous professional racing sailors, many with Olympic, America’s Cup and Ocean Race experience, who will compete alongside the talented and passionate owner-driver yachtsmen and women who are at the heart of the Swan experience.
Among the former is Spain’s Olympic Gold Medal-winning sailor Iker Martinez, tactician on the ClubSwan 50 Ulika: “Swan is such an iconic brand it is always a pleasure to race these boats, and the incredible development of the one-design fleet, not least the ClubSwan 50s, has added something really special to the mix. The competition is going to be intense – and fun!”
National Park will provide a magnificent 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 the standards of Sardinia. This will be a new venue for the Nations League, and based in the world-class Marina di Villasimius, a company by Marinedi Group, racing will be held within the beautiful Capo Carbonara National Marine Park, under the organization of Lega Navale of Villasimius.
A record 20+ entry is expected in the already competitive ClubSwan 50 class, a development welcomed by Marcus Brennecke, the German owner of the 2021 class-winning Hatari.
“Last year was great and 2022 is already taking shape to be even better,” he said. “We are looking forward to playing our part in holding on to the Nations League title for Germany for a second year.
“I am delighted to be continuing my journey in what is looking like a fantastic and super-competitive class, and it is exciting to be welcoming a couple of new owners this season.”
Mid-summer regattas in Spain offer a true test of talent
Next up is the third edition of the Swan One Design Worlds (5-9 July) in Valencia. Hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Valencia, this will be a clash of the titans to decide the world champions in each of the ClubSwan classes.
Then it’s off to the Copa del Rey in Palma de Mallorca (1-6 August), an event popular with both yacht racing professionals and enthusiastic Corinthian sailors alike, and this year celebrating the 40th edition of Spain’s royal regatta.
“The World Championship this year comes in July on one of the most appealing racecourses in the world,” said Federico Michetti, Head of Sports Activities at ClubSwan Racing.
“We chose Valencia as the venue offers all the ingredients that make an event successful sport wise and fun wise. The event itself will crown the world champions per 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 in our calendar. Nautor and the Real Club Náutico de Palma have a long-term partnership and this, plus having a great number of Swans competing, and the professionalism of the team at the RCNP are just a few of the things that make us feel at home.”
Swan season highlight in Porto Cervo combines all the elements for success
Located in one of the most appealing venues in the world the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia (11-18 September) has all the ingredients to be a spectacular success: a diverse international fleet showcasing the Swan range, an array of dedicated owners, pros and amateurs, a stunning yacht club and a title sponsor renowned for its excellent products.
Set in a Sardinian paradise, the 21st edition of this unmissable regatta 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 spirited racing.
The eagerly awaited Swan family gathering will, as ever, 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 above), Swan Grand Prix Class (below 60ft), 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 the pinnacle events by Nautor’s Swan, and after the cancellation of the 2020 edition we are amazed by the response we’ve already had in terms of participation,” said Giovanni Pomati, Nautor Group CEO.
“Having all generations of Swans participating in one venue is something inspiring and thrilling for us. It’s like watching a movie of the evolution of our brand over the decades with the same elements of quality, elegance, innovation, performance and reliability that make a Swan unique.“
Croatian decider for ClubSwan 36 racers
For the ultra-competitive ClubSwan36 fleet there is a final hurrah to their racing year, when they gather for the ClubSwan 36 Europeans (4-8 October) 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 it to another level producing fantastic racing in superb boats,” said Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, owner of the 2021 class winning ClubSwan 36 G Spot.
“We are looking forward to great competition throughout the season, renewing rivalries out on the racetrack and friendships ashore. It’s going to be quite a ride until we reach the conclusion 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 regional multi-event Swan Series to bring the community of Swan owners together at competitive events in their region, and to recognise the best-performing boats across the season.
The Swan Series portfolio comprises the Solent Series, Baltic Series, North American Series and the Mediterranean Series.
Taken together with the Swan Maxi Series, with regatta locations in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, ClubSwan Racing offers the passionate community of Swan owners and sailors a spectacular range of competitive events.