| PORTO CERVO, ITALY-(16-9-2004) Day three of the Rolex Swan Cup 2004, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and the 102-boat fleet of Swans were off on the long-distance Islands Race.
The course of 57.1 nautical miles provided a great test with a fresh westerly breeze of 18-20 knots. While the three classes started separately, they sailed the same course. From the starting line off Porto Cervo, the fleet sailed upwind to a turning mark, then continued on the wind to Monaci Island, before heading downwind to Mortoriotto. This rocky outcrop provided a dramatic turning mark with the fleet tightly compacted.
The next leg took the yachts upwind, leaving the islands of Caprera, Santo Stefano, La Maddalena and Spargi to starboard. After navigating the channel between Santa Maria and Barettinelli (the first boat, the Swan 80 Favonius, rounded at 15:46), the fleet headed into open sea on a long run downwind, rounding Mortoriotto a second time, before heading up to the finish line off the entrance to Porto Cervo.
Leaders on the water at the halfway mark, the Barettinelli Islands, were in Class A, the Swan 80 Favonius followed by Swan 70‘s Bugia Bianca and Stay Calm; Massimo Ferragamo‘s Bellicosa headed up Class B, followed closely by Wisc (GBR) and Mascalzone Latino (ITA). In Class C/D Solenia 2 (Swan 48) was followed by King‘s Legend (Swan 65), with Katrina (Swan 53) in third. At time of press, one yacht, the Swan 60 Alula had withdrawn due to gear failure.
Racing continues on Saturday after a lay day. Tomorrow, Friday 17th September, from 10am to 1pm, a selection of Nautor‘s Swan yachts will be exhibited in their full glory in Porto Cervo Marina.
Nautor‘s Swan recognise that with over 100 Swans present in Porto Cervo, and over 33 models within the entire Swan portfolio (past and present) entered in the regatta, it is the perfect occasion to open the doors on the new and improved SwanLine.
German Frers chief designer for Nautor‘s Swan for over 20 years, comments on the extensive SwanLine: “We are making consistent and continuous progress, producing a modern line of performance cruisers and racing yachts, which is a big change from the past and will secure Nautor‘s position as the undisputable leader in the market. The Showcase tomorrow provides a great chance for everyone to experience the key elements of the SwanLine firsthand.”
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