The legendary Rolex Swan Cup is held once every two years in September, hosting Swan owners from all over the world for a week of competition, friendship and glamour. This year’s 18th edition of the popular regatta will run in the fantastic Sardinia yacht charter destination – Porto Cervo from September 8-14.
2012 Rolex Swan Cup © Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
The 2014 edition of this event marks the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Rolex, Nautor’s Swan and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda – three brands that are instantly recognized worldwide for prestige, excellence and outstanding in class.
The magic of the Costa Smeralda, the beautiful region known as the “emerald coast”, will once again attract an extraordinary fleet of over 90 Swan yachts, including both the current superyacht range and the unique classics.
Twenty-one nations will be represented at the 2014 Rolex Swan Cup: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, BVI, Cayman Islands, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Malta, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the USA. Crews will be an eclectic mix of amateurs and top-level professionals, and while some owners come to this event for the pure joy of sailing with friends and family, others have their eyes firmly set on the Rolex timepieces and trophies awarded at the end of the week, for which they have been training very diligently.
Rolex timepieces and trophies awarded at the final prizegiving of the 2012 Rolex Swan Cup © Nautor's Swan/Alberto Cocchi
In addition to the Maxi and Grand Prix classes, the event welcomes a 22-strong fleet of classic Swans designed by Sparkman & Stephens in the earlier days of the Finnish builder.
Nautor’s Swan three One Design classes will also be present, with a fleet of Swan 45s battling for the title of World Champion, and an impressive fleet of twelve Club Swan 42s, three of which coming from the US: Ken Colburn’s Apparition, Phil Lotz’s Arethusa, and Charles Kenahan’s Mahalo. It is the first time that these US owners compete at the Rolex Swan Cup and sail in the Mediterranean. The Gazprom Swan 60 fleet will end their season here, following on from their World Championships in Palma, Spain, during the Regatta Copa del Rey Mapfre.
Coastal race at the 2012 Rolex Swan Cup © Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
Leonardo Ferragamo, Chairman of Nautor’s Swan, never misses the Rolex Swan Cup: “This event truly embodies the spirit of Swan and it is the perfect showcase of what this iconic brand stands for – excellence, passion, prestige. The Rolex Swan Cup is the top event for us and the benchmark for all other Swan regattas worldwide. Nautor’s Swan offers a vast racing programme, and it is the brand that boasts the highest number of events dedicated to its owners. In Porto Cervo we are expecting a fantastic fleet of Swans, a great gathering of owners from the ClubSwan family, and of course a notable line-up of top level sailors, from seasoned America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race veterans to young upcoming talents.”
Tradition and innovation go hand-in-hand at Nautor’s Swan as Mr. Ferregamo points out: “I feel strongly for evolution, using new technologies while preserving those values that have created such a strong identity at Nautor’s Swan. We are currently working on the build of four Swan 115s, which are extraordinary and very modern yachts.”
Dockside preparations a the 2012 Rolex Swan Cup © Nautor's Swan/Alberto Cocchi
Mr. Ferragamo, who will be racing his Club Swan 42 Cuordileone, sums it up to perfection: “The Rolex Swan Cup is a great event, in great company, in a fabulous location, with wonderful hosts. It is simply not to be missed.” Indeed, the rivalry on the water will take a well-deserved respite each night, with après-racing entertainment such as the much-anticipated Rolex parties and gala owners’ dinner.
Most of the Swan owners who compete in the Rolex Swan Cup are already planning their winter season, which this year will include the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda (BVI). Combining perfect sailing conditions with a full social programme, the second edition of this event will take place from 3-7 March 2015.
