60th celebration

Nautor Swan marks 60 years with Swan 80 premiere and Swan 73 preview.

Photography by Nautor Swan

11 September 2026

Nautor Swan has marked its 60th anniversary at the Cannes Yachting Festival with the world premiere of the new Swan 80, a first look at the Swan 73 and the public debut of new CEO Gianguido Girotti.

The Finnish sailing yacht builder is celebrating six decades in 2026, using Cannes to outline the next phase of the marque two years after joining the Sanlorenzo Group.

Central to the presentation at Port Canto is the new Swan 80, making her world premiere and representing the latest entry point to Nautor Swan’s Maxi range. The yacht was launched at the company’s Pietarsaari shipyard earlier this year ahead of her Cannes debut.

The Swan 80’s low-profile coachroof and long, clean deck lines reflect the distinctive styling of the Maxi Swan range.

The Swan 80 brings Nautor Swan’s Maxi philosophy into a more compact 24-metre package, balancing performance with generous outdoor living spaces.

Twin helm stations keep the Swan 80’s sailing functions separate from the expansive guest cockpit forward.

Swan 80 Elvi at sunset, the new model making its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival.

From above, the Swan 80 reveals an uncluttered deck plan designed to balance efficient sailing with relaxed life on board.

At just under 24 metres, the Swan 80 brings the design philosophy and sailing credentials of Nautor Swan’s larger Maxi models into a more compact platform.

Germán Frers is responsible for the naval architecture, with Lucio Micheletti handling exterior design and Misa Poggi the interiors.

The design places particular emphasis on separating guest and sailing areas, with the cockpit incorporating twin tables and generous seating while keeping winches and running rigging away from the social space.

The Cannes presentation also provided a first glimpse of the new Swan 73, which is under construction in Pietarsaari and scheduled to make her world premiere in 2027.

The model marks Swan’s return to the 22-metre segment after two decades and is conceived as a performance cruiser combining the volume and comfort of a larger yacht with the ability to operate with minimal crew. Naval architecture is by Germán Frers, while the interiors are by Blend Studio.

The new yachts arrive alongside a change at the top of Nautor Swan. Gianguido Girotti, appointed CEO in June, made his first public appearance in the role at Cannes.

Girotti said the company’s strategy would focus on carefully evolving the Swan portfolio while protecting the qualities that have defined the marque.

“Our ambition is to define a strong product and brand strategy while ensuring that Swan remains the first choice for the world’s most discerning owners,” he said.

The new Swan 73 is designed to combine bluewater performance with the comfort and volume expected of a larger yacht.

Germán Frers designed the Swan 73 as a contemporary performance cruiser capable of sailing with minimal crew.

The Swan 73 combines clean deck lines and an expansive cockpit with the proportions of a larger performance cruiser.

The Swan 73 under sail, marking Nautor Swan’s return to the 22-metre segment.

The Swan 73 carries Nautor Swan’s signature combination of streamlined deck architecture and performance-focused proportions.

Scheduled for its world premiere at Cannes in 2027, the Swan 73 introduces a new generation to Nautor Swan’s performance-cruising range.

The Swan 73’s helm station integrates sailing controls while keeping the guest areas separate and uncluttered.

Twin helm stations frame the Swan 73’s spacious aft cockpit and provide clear access forward.

The Swan 73’s cockpit is configured as a generous outdoor living and dining space.

Rather than pursuing radical change, Nautor Swan says it plans to broaden its range while maintaining its established emphasis on performance, craftsmanship and the owner experience.

The celebrations continue after Cannes with the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo from 14 to 19 September. The 2026 edition forms part of Nautor Swan’s anniversary program, with around 170 Swan yachts and hundreds of owners and sailors expected to participate.

Founded in 1966, Nautor Swan has built more than 2,350 yachts and today operates across the Swan, Swan Maxi, ClubSwan, Swan Alloy, SwanScape and motor yacht ranges.

nautorswan.com
vicsail.com

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