In an enthralling final day on the water, the Swan One Design Worlds, hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Valencia, drew to a conclusion, though not without elements of excitement, but the winners were decided.
As one of the competitors put it, true to the Hollywood saying, ‘without some drama there’s never a good ending’.
Lighter winds greeted the World Championship contenders in the ClubSwan 36, ClubSwan 42 and ClubSwan 50 fleets as they set out for the deciding two races.
Having headed out on the final day just a point ahead of some determined rivals, the crew of Cuordileone, helmed by Leonardo Ferragamo, could have been forgiven a few nerves. Not a bit of it.
Delivering a bullet in the first race opened some clear water to Hendrik Brandis’ persistent challenger Earlybird and a third place in the second and final contest sealed victory in the ClubSwan 50 class.
A clearly thrilled Leonardo Ferragamo said: “Being World Champion is very emotional and it was fought for very hard right up to the very last minute. That’s why one-design racing is so incredible, with the boats so close together right to the end. This is my very first World Championship win and I am very happy.”
Federico Michetti, Head of Sport Activities at ClubSwan Racing, added: “It’s an amazing feeling to be World Champion. It’s been an incredible week with unbelievable champagne sailing conditions, and to finish by winning the World title is something quite unique. I am very proud of the team.”
Louis Balcaen’s Balthasar produced an identical 3-1 scoreline and was able to move to within a point of second placed Earlybird in the battle for podium places.
Defending World Champion Marcus Brennecke’s team on Hatari delivered a second place in each race but could not close the gap down and finished in fourth overall.
ClubSwan 36: Unexpected race result leaves Mamao with it all to do In the ClubSwan 36 fleet a penultimate race win by Lorenzo Mondo’s Farstar, and an equally notable seventh place by long-time class leader Mamao, saw the top four boats go into their final race only separated by a single point with Farstar on pole.
But in a situation seemingly designed to show her resilience, Haakon Lorentzen’s Brazil-flagged Mamao bounced right back to take only her second race win of the regatta – finishing level on 33 points with Farstar and the winner on countback.
A happy Lorentzen said: “Yes we are World Champions, for the first time in my life! It feels very good. I was wanting to win it, but it is a hard class and we had to win the last race. We managed it and it is incredible!
“Conditions have been fantastic, we have loved the event, and now we will love it forever! We are looking forward to the next one.”
Tactician Ross MacDonald added: “The first race was difficult for us, and we were probably a bit too conservative and in the end we did too many tacks and ended up in seventh place, so that gave us a bit of excitement for the last race – but like they say in Hollywood, without the drama there’s never a good ending.”
Edoardo Ferragamo’s Cuordileone claimed the final podium place with Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s G Spot falling out of contention for a top-three finish.
Having given herself a bit to do on the final day to confirm her leading position, Pedro Vaquer’s Nadir delivered in style, posting a 1-2 scoreline to take the ClubSwan 42 class by a clear 12 points, giving local Spanish fans much to cheer about.
Speaking back ashore Vaquer said: “We are very happy. We had prepared for the Worlds, we had trained, and everything worked out very well for us although the numbers don’t perhaps show how close it was on the water!”
And he added: “The conditions have been great, and Valencia has been a very good place to race.”
Massimo De Campo’s Selene-Alifax secured second place while another boat representing Spain at the regatta, Jose Maria Meseguer’s Pez De Abril, pulled out the stops with results of 2-3 to get on the podium, displacing Pit Finis’ Dralion who had started the final day in a clear third place.
In the Best-Placed Nations standings at the Swan One Design Worlds, Italy and Germany are tied at the top with 28 points each thanks to the heroics of Cuordileone and Drifter Sail, and Earlybird and Hatari, for their respective countries. Nadir and the ClubSwan 42 Pez De Abril helped Spain into third place.
With racing complete the Real Club Náutico de Valencia again stepped up as host for the final prize-giving at the Swan One Design Worlds.
Real Club Náutico de Valencia President Marisa Arlandis said: “It has been a pleasure to welcome the ClubSwan Racing fleet, and I hope everyone has enjoyed the exceptional conditions offered by Valencia and the facilities at our club.
“This regatta puts Valencia on the map, the fantastic racecourse we have here, the club and the city itself as a venue for world-class sports events. We would love to be one of the venues of the ClubSwan Racing circuit in the future.”
Thanks went to the select band of ClubSwan Racing partners and suppliers, namely Rolex, the Official Timekeeper, BMW, who provided electric vehicles as courtesy cars throughout the event; the exclusive clothing brand Sease, Randstad and Banor.
The supporting partners to ClubSwan Racing are Gottifredi Maffioli, North Sails, Garmin Marine and Quantum Sails, and not forgetting Ferrari Trento, the Official Sparkling Wine Partner.
Full results: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=15036
