The light airs that identified the Day One of the Rolex Swan Cup and Swan 45 World Championship disappeared almost completely this morning and the Race Committee had no choice but to cancel the race for the day. After raising the AP flag ashore, and based on reports of fading breeze from support boats located around the regatta course, PRO Peter Craig announced at midday that no racing would take place today. The event – which marks the 30th anniversary of the collaboration between the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Rolex and Nautor’s Swan – continues through Sunday 14th September with racing due to take place each day.
Rolex Swan Cup 2014 - Photo by Rolex : Carlo Borlenghi
Edoardo Recchi, YCCS Sports Director, is optimistic for the remaining four race days: “The wind looks set to improve over the next few days, bringing better conditions for the regatta. This evening the Mistral is set to blow in and we are seeing forecasts of around 20 knots for tomorrow when all of the divisions will be set a coastal course.”
The six competing divisions will in fact be set a “Island Long Race” which could vary from 30 to 60 nautical miles. Setting courses for a fleet of over 90 boats which span the entire range of the Nautor’s Swan family is no simple matter, as Recchi explains: “The most complex aspect of organizing this regatta, aside from the sheer numbers of boats on the water, is dealing with the huge variety of models and potential speeds in the various divisions. When setting courses we not only have to think about the wind and sea conditions, but also the different performances across the fleet; we have to try to have all the boats crossing the finish line in a pretty brief timespan.”
Teams will take advantage of the enforced break to enjoy the September sunshine and exploit the delights of the Costa Smeralda this afternoon. The competitive one-design fleets will be tweaking boats and equipment to perfection while the more laid-back participants, sailing with friends and family, will be exploring the beautiful bays and beaches of one of Italy’s most celebrated holiday destinations. Since its inception in 1980 the Swan Cup has always been an eagerly awaited biennial event in which members of the “Swan family” have the chance to reunite, swap tall tales and catch up with old friends.
Swan owners now have a second occasion in which to come together for spectacular sailing in superb surroundings, and many of the boats present in Porto Cervo are already planning to attend the second edition of the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean. The Caribbean event, falling on alternate years to the Mediterranean edition, will take place from 3rd to 7th March 2015 at the YCCS Clubhouse and Marina in Virgin Gorda, at the heart of the British Virgin Islands.
For now, owners and crews will be have plenty to concentrate on for the rest of the week in Porto Cervo, both on and off the race course. The bustling social programme continues with cocktails, dinners and the Rolex Crew Party planned for Saturday evening. The final prizegiving in Piazza Azzurra on Sunday 14th September will officially close the event and the YCCS sporting calendar.
Racing continues tomorrow, 11th September, with the first warning signal for the Islands Long Race scheduled for 11.30 a.m. Mistral winds of 15-20 knots are predicted.
