This stage was a first for Yacht Club Porto Rotondo which hosted the event in collaboration with ClubSwan Racing and the Marina di Porto Rotondo. This being a symbolic year for Nautor Swan celebrating its 60th anniversary, this regatta confirmed the growing strength of the ClubSwan 28 fleet with the arrival of new teams such as Charlotte Borghesi’s Kidzink and Aurora led by Jonathan Samuelsson. Keeping pace with these newcomers, Black Swan was hot on the heels of the leaders throughout the week.
Every day, the Porto Rotondo race venue put on a different face, the first day producing a steady 10-12 knots before a lighter 6 knots complicated the battles next day. The last day started with a 9 knot breeze which gradually dropped away forcing teams to constantly adapt their sail trim and positioning on the course.
The course set in the Gulf of Cugnana is one of the historic playgrounds for the Swan classes in the Mediterranean. Thanks to the Sardinian hills, the play of light and its intimate marina, Porto Rotondo has a very different atmosphere to the big classic meetings on the circuit. Ashore and at sea, crews are sailing in an environment where relationships are strong between owners, sailors and teams.
With nine teams competing, this stage confirms the momentum behind the ClubSwan 28, a class that continues to attract new international projects. With four top-three finishes out of the eight races completed, Lorenzo Bortolotti remained in contention with the fleet leaders and continues his season in a category where gaps remain extremely tight from one event to the other.
Share:
