Test of talent
The Swan One Design Worlds, the highlight of the ClubSwan Racing Season, is underway in Valencia, Spain.
Photography by ClubSwan Racing - Studio Borlenghi
05 July 2022
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The historic Spanish port city of Valencia takes its turn in the spotlight this week with the arrival of one of the undoubted highlights of the ClubSwan Racing season, the Swan One Design Worlds.
With the high-profile title of World Champion 2022 there to be earned in three one-design classes – ClubSwan 36, ClubSwan 42 and ClubSwan 50 – the competitive regatta will provide the arena for a clash of the titans.
Hosted by the renowned and exclusive Real Club Náutico de Valencia (RCNV), the Swan One Design Worlds will bring together the diverse Nautor’s Swan family, as ever combining top ranked professional racers and passionate and enthusiastic Corinthian sailors.
“The Swan One Design Worlds is a major test of talent that showcases the competitive and varied community that’s at the heart of the ClubSwan Racing experience,” said Federico Michetti, Head of Sport Activities at ClubSwan Racing.
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“The city of Valencia and the Real Club Náutico de Valencia have warmly welcomed the ClubSwan family which, for the first time this year, includes boats representing Switzerland, Spain and France in the closely contested Nations League.”
A Family Affair
One entry flying the flag for France is Raving Swan, racing in the nine-strong ClubSwan 42 class which is making its first collective appearance on the ClubSwan Racing circuit in 2022.
Under a rule voted in by owners, all yachts in the ClubSwan 42 class have agreed to give special importance to crew who are either female, under 26, or direct family members, in a bid to enhance the class’ Corinthian spirit.
In Raving Swan’s case, owner Jerome Stubler races alongside sons Hugo and Oscar as well as family, friends and his wife Nathalie and daughter at the Copa del Rey every year with a largely Corinthian crew.
Nevertheless, the Raving Swan team put in a consistent performance in 2021 to win the ClubSwan 42 World Championship on their debut.
“We’ve got a lot to live up to after last year, but we are looking forward to the challenge and renewing our friendly rivalry with the other 42s,” said Stubler.
“The ClubSwan Racing team are experts at putting on top-line racing, and the shoreside events add to the whole experience – we can’t wait,” he added.
Also racing in the class is the German-flagged Dralion, with owner Peter Finis racing with his wife Petra. From Italy, Canopo‘s new owner, Adriano Majolino is also delighted to be making his ClubSwan 42 debut
The Largest Class at the Worlds
The 16-strong ClubSwan 50 class – the largest at the Worlds – is welcoming new owner, Enis Ersu at the helm of Xai Vision and the first appearance this year of Spanish entry Tenaz.
“It’s great to be back racing and wonderful to be competing on home waters here in Valencia,” said Tenaz owner Pablo Garriga.
“ClubSwan Racing is exhilarating and competitive, and we will have our work cut out in such a talented fleet,” added Garriga, who is a committed racing sailor and Commodore of the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona.
Ultra-competitive 36s
Meanwhile the ultra-competitive ClubSwan 36 fleet will include Italy’s Far Star, making her first appearance in 2022, and Turkish entry Facing Future, with owner Mehmet Taki looking to consign his 2021 Worlds result to history.
“We knew the ClubSwan 36 class was going to be fun, and very, very competitive, which we had confirmed at last year’s Worlds when we were bottom of the leaderboard with Bracing Breeze,” said Taki.
“But we have worked hard, learned some lessons and we were able to earn a place on the podium at the Tuscany Challenge back in April, so we are heading to Valencia in good spirits and looking forward to a great regatta.”
Immediately before the Swan One Design Worlds, the Real Club Náutico de Valencia is hosting the high-profile SM La Reina Trophy regatta, which offers a great opportunity to fine tune race crews, one which has been taken up by Worlds entries including Tenaz and the ClubSwan 42 Spirit of Nerina.
As host club, the RCNV will also be the venue for many of the shoreside events during the Swan One Design Worlds.
“The whole team at the Real Club Náutico de Valencia is looking forward to welcoming the many owners and crews taking part in the Swan One Design Worlds,” said RCNV President Marisa Arlandis.
“We know that enjoying the regatta on land is just as important as the challenging racing on the water, and we are working hard and are confident we will exceed all expectations.”
Leading off the highly anticipated shoreside events at The Swan One Design Worlds is the Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Party on Tuesday 5 July – with wine provided by ClubSwan Racing Sparkling Partner Ferrari Trento – following a practice race earlier in the day.
One of the undoubted highlights of the entire event is the Owners’ Dinner on Friday 8 July which is being held at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias – The City of Arts and Sciences – an awe-inspiring cultural and architectural complex designed by the acclaimed Valencia-born architect, Santiago Calatrava.
The following evening sees the Crew Party and Prize-Giving Ceremony, again with Ferrari Trento Sparkling wines.
All the shoreside events are hosted by RCNV. BMW will also offer a courtesy car service for guests throughout the event.
The Swan One Design Worlds will see four days of racing take place from Wednesday 6 July to Saturday 9 July, with ten races scheduled.
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