| PORTO CERVO, ITALY-(17-9-2004) By 22:00 hours Thursday evening, the last boat had crossed the finish line of the 57 nautical-mile Islands Race on day three of the Swan Rolex Cup organized by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. In Class A, Bugia Bianca of Italy earned her third win of the regatta, while in the Swan 45/Class B, Italian Massimo Ferragamos Bellicosa sailed a strong race for her first win. And, even though Vertigo finished eighth yesterday, the British boat still leads Class B by six points overall. In Class C/D, another Italian competitor, Solenia 2, dominated, finishing within 30 minutes of some of the largest boats in the fleet.
After a warm-up beat, reach and run down to Mortoriotto, the crews endured a long beat that lasted upwards of three hours for the smaller boats, taking them through the La Maddalena Islands to Spargi. At the turn towards the rocky outcrop of Baretinelli, the winds were at their strongest topping out at approximately 20 knots with big seas. The competitors enjoyed an exhilarating spinnaker reach before gybing onto the long run outside the islands back to Mortoriotto. The final leg was a short beat back to the finish at Porto Cervo.
Today is a lay day for the Swan fleet, and just as well with torrential rain, thunder and lightning sweeping through the area during the morning. Tomorrows forecast is for northerly winds, force 4 with a moderate chop. Tonight Swan owners and guests look forward to the ClubSwan Dinner at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, hosted by ClubSwan partner, Pioneer Investment.
Racing continues on Saturday, 18th September with Class A scheduled to race windward/leeward courses and Classes B & C/D scheduled for one coastal course. First gun is scheduled for 11:30 hours.
For full results and photos of the Rolex Swan Cup 2004, visit http://www.yccs.it and www.regattanews.com.
OVERALL RESULTS
Place, Boat Name/Type, Place, Total Points
Class A
1. Bugia Bianca (Swan 70), Massimo Dentice 1 1 5 1, 8
2. Aqua Equinox (Swan 56), Filip Balcaen 12 4 1 5, 22
3. Favonius (Swan 80), Roel Pieper 10 2 9 2, 23
Class B (Swan 45)
1. Vertigo, Marco Salvi/Alberto Signorini 1 2 1 8, 12
2. Cuordileone, Leonardo Ferragamo 2 8 2 6, 18
3. Mascalzone Latino, Vincenzo Onorato 11 3 6 2, 22
Class C/D
1. Solenia (Swan 48), Roberto Ferrero 1 5 1, 8
2. Katrina (Swan 53), Damon Guizet 2 4 8, 14
3. Junkanoo (Swan 44 MkII), Colin Buffin 12 3 2, 17
|
