ClubSwan Racing season doubles-up with two European Championships

The ClubSwan Racing season will see double the excitement from September 12-16 with two European Championships held simultaneously at two magnificent Mediterranean venues — the ClubSwan 36s at the state-of-the-art Marina di Puntaldia on the pristine northeast coast of Sardinia, and the ClubSwan 50s at the Club Maritimo de Mahon, a brand-new venue for ClubSwan Racing on the east coast of the island of Menorca.

Racing at the ClubSwan 36 Europeans will be held against the backdrop of the eye-catching Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area.

“We are delighted to be welcoming the ClubSwan 36 owners and their race crews to Sardinia and our splendid Marina di Puntaldia for their main event of the season: the 2023 ClubSwan 36 Europeans,” said Marie-Hélène Polo, CEO of Marina di Puntaldia Srl, which is organising the event in collaboration with Comune di San Teodoro – Consorzio Puntaldia and the Yacht Club Olbia. “We are proud to welcome for the first time to our marina the Swan family, which represents excellence in sailing, both on the water and its organisation ashore. For us this event represents an exciting opportunity to showcase our facilities and establish ourselves as a host for international regattas providing the highest standards.”

Heading into the penultimate event of the 2023 ClubSwan Racing season Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s G Spot (MON) holds a narrow three-point lead in The Nations League CS36 table ahead of Edoardo Ferragamo’s Cuordileone (ITA)and Edoardo and Vanni Pavesio’s Fra Martina (ITA), who are tied on 21 points, with Nikolai P. Burkart’s Goddess (GER) close behind in fourth.

“We have had a great season so far, and we will be looking to close the gap to the top of the ClubSwan 36 Nations League table at the European Championships,” said Burkart. “The team is ready to get out on the water and start racing. Our compliments to Edoardo and Vanni [Fra Martina] and to Edoardo Ferragamo [Cuordileone], both teams are sailing very well. Giangi [G Spot] always sails fantastically. Onboard Goddess, we have developed two weaknesses: bad starts and bad tactics. We hope to correct this.”

During the same week, The ClubSwan 50 fleet will also find themselves in a memorable setting on the beautiful Balearic Island of Menorca, with the backing and support of the Consell Insular De Menorca and Fondacio Fomento Turismo Mahon, where they will be hosted by the 123 year-old Club Maritimo de Mahon, located in the well-known natural harbour, where centuries of history will welcome the owners and crews.

“As a club we value our history and our tradition alongside being open to innovation and reinvention, so it is a real pleasure to welcome for the first time ClubSwan Racing and the ClubSwan 50s with whom we share a love of sailing and friendly competition,” said Antonio Hernández, President of Club Marítimo de Mahón. 

One team looking to celebrate a winning debut at the Menorca ClubSwan 50 Europeans is sure to be Sonke Meier Sawatzki’s Niramo (GER) following their runner-up finish at last month’s Copa del Rey MAPFRE behind overall class leader Hatari (GER).

Tactician Cameron Appleton said: “It was so close at the top last time out and it could easily have gone either way. We will be out to turn the tables in Menorca. It’s a new venue for the class, that can be tricky so we will all have a lot to discover, and we can’t wait.”

Another crew also looking to move up the ClubSwan 50 Nations League table is a further member of the strong German contingent, Olymp.

Owner Mark Bezner said: “I am German, but we are based in the Balearic Islands and some of the team is Spanish, so while it is a new racing area for many of us, for others onboard it is almost home waters. Our crew includes six different nationalities – this is something extraordinary, and of which my son Louis and I are really proud.”

The selection of two new host venues is further evidence that ClubSwan Racing is constantly looking to enhance its offer to owners and crews, said Federico Michetti, Head of Sports Activities at ClubSwan Racing.

“Both Puntaldia and Mahon are fantastic venues and we have been delighted by the warm welcome we have received, as well as the world-class facilities they each offer,” he said. “The ClubSwan 50 and ClubSwan 36 European Championship fleets are in for something very special, and we are looking forward to delivering two regattas with memorable and exciting racing.”

The winners in both the ClubSwan 36 and ClubSwan 50 Europeans will each receive a special perpetual trophy created in collaboration with students at IED Milano Jewellery Design.

Young and talented designers Noor Kerdi and Louis Kutyla have crafted a sculptural trophy that embodies and reflects the elegant spirit of Swan and the ClubSwan Racing principles of friendly and fair competition, passion, and camaraderie.