Porto Cervo, 20 September 2024. In glorious sunshine and with forecasts of winds on the light side, but sufficient for racing, the Race Committee set a coastal course around the La Maddalena Archipelago for all classes except the ClubSwan 28s and 36s, who were scheduled to complete windward-leewards.
At 12 noon CEST with a north-northeasterly breeze of 5 to 8 knots moving towards the right, the starting procedures began on both race courses. The increasingly light breeze prompted the Race Committee, headed by PRO Stuart Childerley, first to shorten the coastal course for all classes, and then to cancel the race when the wind died down to around 3 to 4 knots with a further drop expected. At that point the Swan 60 CR Sea Quill was leading the fleet, followed by the bigger yachts, thanks to the tactical decision to sail further off the coastline, and very shrewd handling in the light air.
A single race for the ClubSwan 36 class alone was completed on the windward-leeward course, in which Fra Martina, owned by the Pavesio brothers, secured her third victory of the series, finishing ahead of two boats helmed by female owner-drivers: Dje Kapital Iris, owned by Marie Helène Polo with Andrea Casale as tactician - second today - and in third place Lady Ghada, owned by Egyptian owner G.B. Ghada with Mitch Booth, two-time Olympic medallist in the Tornado class, on tactics.
Edoardo Pavesio, co-owner of Fra Martina: “We found the ideal set-up for these light wind conditions, the boat was very fast and combined with the great work of tactician Rufo Bressani and the entire crew, we had another win today. Thank you to everyone.”
The ClubSwan 36 class racing on day four of the 22nd Rolex Swan Cup. Photo credit: YCCS/Daniele Macis
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