Swan Bonifacio Challenge - photo © ClubSwan Racing / Studio Borlenghi
Palma de Mallorca — one of the focal points of the Mediterranean sailing scene — will provide the arena where the World Champions in the ClubSwan 50, ClubSwan 36 and ClubSwan 42 classes will be crowned, alongside The Nations League and overall circuit winners at the conclusion of a hard-fought though friendly season of courteous and competitive sailing.
“All the teams have been improving their performance for seven months and I am sure that this World Championship will be very competitive and will be won in the last downwind leg of the last race,” said Federico Michetti, Head of Sport Activities. “Palma de Mallorca is the perfect location to close what has been a beautiful season where, among other things, we have met and raced in new awesome places such as Bonifacio and Alghero.”
Camaraderie and a growing global appeal
It is indicative of Swan’s growing global appeal that sailors at the Swan One Design Worlds will be representing no fewer than 27 countries and territories.
Camaraderie and the shared experience of Swan ownership, as well as the undiluted thrill of one-design racing, is at the heart of ClubSwan Racing.
Responding to the call is the British sailor Alistair Ray, now owner of the ClubSwan 50 Jumunu 7 — a boat name familiar in The Solent and England’s south coast.
“We made our ClubSwan 50 debut at the Rolex Swan Cup where we had a marvellous time. We have a lot to learn racing this fantastic yacht and Palma will be another great opportunity to take things forward — we can’t wait,” said Ray, who will be benefiting from the input of British tactician Ian Budgen when racing gets under way.
Among other newcomers making their debut is Bravo Team in the ClubSwan 36 Class, and the new owners of the ClubSwan 42s Glen Ellen (FRA) and Daring Sister (CZE), the latter a group of long-time Swan owners who have opted for the one-design experience.
World titles, 2024 Trophies and The Nations League are all to play for
The 2024 Swan One Design Worlds have attracted 28 of the most competitive yachts across the ClubSwan 50, ClubSwan 36 and ClubSwan 42 classes, with the annual World Championship titles to be won, and The Nations League overall season winners decided.
Of all the contests to be settled, none is closer than the overall ClubSwan 36 title with the top three — Cuordileone, Fra Martina and Gspot — on 26, 25 and 24 points respectively and with all to play for.
The highly competitive ClubSwan 36 class is also noteworthy for having three Brazilian entries in The Nations League 2024, namely Bravo Team, Loyalty and Mamao, the latter with owner Haakon Lorentzen returning to the circuit. He said: “It is great to be back in the action in such a competitive fleet — and also to have other teams flying the flag for Brazil! It’s going to be a great event.”
Meanwhile the young Netherlands team is once again taking part on Dutch Sail, thanks to the innovative ClubSwan Academy project aimed at empowering young sailors to navigate their dreams and conquer the seas.
“The ClubSwan Academy is a pilot project, born together with the Yacht Club Italiano and Dutch Sail – Royal Netherlands Yacht Club, aimed at empowering young sailors to navigate their dreams and conquer the seas onboard the ClubSwan 36 and competing as part of the class among the Swan One Design family. The ClubSwan Academy aims to harness the potential of every passionate individual to become a skilled sailor by offering a unique platform for experiential and personal growth,” said Federico Michetti.
In the ClubSwan 50 class Marcus Brennecke’s Hatari is again showing her class and leading the way, but with the finale looming is only three points ahead of Graeme & Raquel Peterson’s Moonlight and could face a serious challenge for the season title.
Adriano Majolino’s ClubSwan 42 Canopo is having a very strong season — including a string of bullets to win her class at the Rolex Swan Cup — which has helped the Italian team to the top of the overall table, though with Jose Maria Meseguer’s Pez de Abril only a point behind.
“As always the sailing has been magnificent across several inspiring venues, and this season we have been able to put it all together,” said Majolino. “The camaraderie and team spirit on board Canopo is exceptional and we will be looking to finish the season as strongly as we can.”
A warm welcome at the Real Club Náutico de Palma
The final event of the 2024 ClubSwan Racing season will benefit from the friendly, welcoming and efficient organisation and facilities provided by their host the Real Club Náutico de Palma, which will also provide race management and the setting for the varied social events during the regatta.
The RCNP Terrace will provide the shoreside hub for the Swan One Design Worlds, hosting the Opening Ceremony, after-race refreshments and daily prize-giving, and the Crew Dinner & Party, all opportunities to share racing tales and more.
Also shoreside, and available for trial sailing, will be the first example of Nautor Swan’s brand new ClubSwan 43, a welcome and innovative addition to the one-design fleet which has already gone so far to inspire the Swan community.
And with our sincere thanks to….
As organiser of the season-long Nations League series, which includes the Swan One Design Worlds, ClubSwan Racing would like to highlight the essential support provided by their main partners Rolex, Randstad, Porsche, Henri Lloyd, Ferragamo and Banor. The Nations League is also made possible thanks to technical sponsors Quantum Sails, North Sails, Doyle Sails, Garmin, Sailmon, B&G, Gottifredi Maffioli, AON, Ethimo, and Ferrari Trento.
Regatta schedule:
Wednesday, 23 Oct.
Thursday, 24 Oct.
Friday, 25 Oct.
Saturday, 26 Oct.
Sunday, 27 Oct.
by ClubSwan Racing
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