Selene & Music Increase Lead at 2015 Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean

Racing on board Selene. Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean 2015. © Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

Although there is no change at the top of the leaderboard with Swan 80 Selene (Class A) and Swan 53 Music (Class B) firmly fixed at the head of their respective classifications, today’s racing could not be described as anything less than thrilling. A downwind start, gusts of up to 25 knots, a circumnavigation of the island as well as upwind and downwind legs combined perfectly with the stable breeze and idyllic scenery that have earned Virgin Gorda its reputation as a sailing paradise to ensure another impeccable day on the water. The fourth and final race day in the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean 2015, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Nautor’s Swan, is scheduled for tomorrow, 7th March.

The constant breeze in the archipelago did not disappoint today and a steady easterly was blowing at approximately 20 knots as the first signal sounded at 11.00 this morning. The Class A yachts were set a course covering 32 nautical miles on a circumnavigation of Virgin Gorda, finishing up just off Necker Island. Class B completed a slightly shorter course of approximately 26 miles which brought them through Round Rock Passage off the southern tip of the island and around Ginger Island before returning via Seal Dog island to the finish off Necker.

Odin, Class A. Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean 2015. © Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi 

Tom Siebel’s Swan 90 Odin was the fastest around the course today but placed second behind Selene in corrected time. In Class B Todd Stuart’s Swan 56 White Rhino took line honours in real time but placed third in corrected time behind Paolo Scerni’s Club Swan 42 Kora VI in second.

“It was a fantastic race,” commented Lorenzo Bortolotti, tactician on Kora VI, “fast and exciting. The Swan 42 is very fast on downwind reaches and we hit speeds of over 15 knots today. The course the Committee set was excellent, we suffered a little returning upwind, being the smallest boat in the fleet, but it was a great race. If we had a little less wind tomorrow that would be ideal for us.”

Meanwhile, among those Class B yachts racing under CSA, Bob and Kristin Beltrano’s Swan 53 Naia’a holds a 4 point lead over John C. Scott’s Swan 44 Laughing Lady.

Rhino and Music, Class B. Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean 2015. © Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

After yesterday’s Full Moon party on the beach at Biras Creek owners and crews will tonight be enjoying a Gala Dinner at the YCCS Clubhouse overlooking the North Sound. The busy and varied social schedule will round off tomorrow with the prize giving and a farewell cocktail for the entire Swan family on the YCCS lawn.

Racing concludes tomorrow, Saturday 7th March with the start scheduled for 11.00 (AST).

For further information visit www.nautorswan.com and www.yccs.com. Full programme, images and results are available on the event website.