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July 2013

Swan 60 Bronenosec crowned World Champions

 
A sunny Cowes, Isle of Wight played host to the inaugural edition of the Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship from the 15th - 19th July. The five Swan 60 entrants; Bronenosec, Tsaar Peter, Knights of Crevichon, Petite Flamme and SGM were greeted each day with afternoon sea breezes and beautiful British summer weather.

As the teams became accustomed to the conditions, races were close run affairs, but over the course of the next four days, Bronenosec totalled an impressive six wins and made their way to victory with a race to spare. Meanwhile, the teams behind fought stoutly with close racing and close results. The constant trading of positions in the results indicated the quality of the one-design racing.

The final standings left Bronenosec in first place, Knights of Crevichon second, nine points behind, followed closely by Tsaar Peter and Petite Flamme with SGM in final place. The new Gazprom Swan 60 World Champions will now enjoy their new title and the magnificent Gazprom Swan 60 trophy for the next year.
Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship 2013 Â© Nautor's Swan/Kurt Arrigo
The week also offered plenty more than racing for the crews; once back on shore, crews were entertained daily at the ClubSwan Regatta Village, with musical performances from a selection of bands, evening DJs, after race food and a well-stocked bar. The evenings also consisted of exclusive owners’ dinners and crew parties; all of which provided the Class with a fantastic social programme to accompany the racing.
 
An afternoon of Match racing was also undertaken by female Olympic racing stars Ekaterina Skudina (RUS) and Shirley Robertson (GBR) taking the helm. Ekaterina Skudina finished in 4th place at the London 2012 Olympic Games and was Russian Women’s Sailor of the Year from 2009-2012. Shirley Robertson OBE living locally in Cowes is a double Olympic gold medallist and took a 2-0 Match racing victory over her younger Russian contemporary.

The Swan 60 Experience


Dmitry Samokhin helmed Petite Flamme in the inaugural Gazprom Swan 60 World Championships in Cowes. As a newcomer to the Swan 60, it took some time to adjust to the new boat, but his reaction certifies that it was worth the wait: “The Swan 60 is a really luxurious boat to sail. I am used to sailing much smaller boats and to sail with this amount of weight and power is more difficult for me, but it is very interesting and a sheer pleasure to sail such a boat…it has been a lot fun and I am glad to have been a part of this event.”
Swan 60 Petite Flamme and Swan 60 fleet Â© Nautor's Swan/Kurt Arrigo

Continuing the Class Circuit 2013


As we reach the halfway stage of the Gazprom Swan 60 Class Circuit, the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week and the Nord Stream Race are yet to be sailed.

Cowes Week, taking place from the 3rd - 10th August is one of the largest events on the sailing calendar. Staging up to 40 daily races for over 1,000 boats, the event attracts over 8000 sailors, making it a world-class event with a word-class field of sailors. The Gazprom Swan 60 class will be represented in the regatta by Bronenosec, Tsaar Peter and SGM. There will also be a Gazprom Swan 60 Class BBQ dinner held on the 7th August for owners and guests.

Beginning on the 16th September, the Nord Stream Race will act as the final event on the 2013 Gazprom Swan 60 Class Circuit. The 800 nautical mile route takes the Swan 60s from Flensburg, Germany to Saint Petersburg, Russia through nine different national waters of the Baltic Sea. The non-stop course should be completed in roughly four to six days where the winner will be awarded the perpetual trophy.

Entrants can look forward to great social programme both pre and post-race. On Friday 12th September there will be a Match Race for the Swan 60s in Sonwich Marina, followed by a crew party and regatta opening reception on the Saturday at the Flensburg Sailing Club. Post-race on the 21st there will be a crew party in the Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg and finally a prize giving on Sunday 22nd.
Swan 60 Fleet and Gazprom Swan 60 Class Trophy Â© Nautor's Swan/Kurt Arrigo

Rolex Fastnet Race attracts 60s
 

Finally, an event not on the official Gazprom Swan 60 calendar is the Rolex Fastnet Race. The Swan 60 fleet, including World Champions Bronenosec, SGM and Petite Flamme will compete again off the British shores. Arne Hirsch, German Offshore Challenge GOC, believes this will be a great challenge for the young crew onboard Swan 60 SGM; "The Rolex Fastnet Race - 600 nautical miles will be their most demanding challenge yet. The crew have respect for and are aware of the dangers at this event, not least after they completed ISAF safety training right onboard SGM"

Robert Stanjek, Olympian and SGM Skipper believes that "on paper the results might not be the best, but out on the water we are getting really close to the professional crews. Our crew is growing together, operating together better and we have done some very nice manoeuvres."

The first Fastnet Race was sailed back in 1925 and occurs biannually, starting in Cowes, passing Land’s End and the Scillies before rounding Fastnet Rock and heading for Plymouth, covering a total journey of 608 nautical miles. With as many as 300 boats entering, this is also a major event on the sailing calendar.
 
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