Italy: The 9th S&S Swan Regatta, an event that takes place every two years, took place in Marciana Marina from June 23rd to 26th.
The event is reserved for the legendary ‘swans’ of the Finnish sea created by the American yacht designer Sparkman & Stephens. For the fifth time (the previous editions in Marciana Marina, were held in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015) a fleet of 21 historic Swans met on Elban waters to give life to a series of regattas characterized as “friendly, but with a feeling of family-like competitiveness”. The crews are often made up of entire families (from grandparents to the youngest grandchildren) and the boats must also follow special rules to limit any excesses (it is forbidden to lighten the boats by removing parts of the interior furnishings, cushions or various equipment).
Marciana Marina is a town on Elba Island (best known for its stunning beaches) – an island located off the mid-western coastline of Italy.
“It was certainly the most successful edition ever organized,” said Matteo Salamon, founder of the S&S Swan Association, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary.
“Thanks to the valuable support of the Circolo della Vela Marciana Marina and Nautor’s Swan (Finnish producer of luxury sailing yachts) we managed to bring together twenty-two S&S Swans from all over Europe.”
The fleet from Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland and Switzerland was divided into two classes: the Toremar class for yachts up to 44 feet and the Moby class for those over 44 feet. The atmosphere of a large family gathering was palpable right from the beginning. And the health regulations and the protocols issued by the Italian Sailing Federation were fully respected.
The three days of competition on the race course between Marciana Marina and the Scoglietto di Portoferraio (located towards the eastern side of the island) were generally characterised by light winds from the north. This forced the Race Committee, chaired by Andrea Bimbi, to reduce the distance by a few miles on the first day and then again on the final day. Nevertheless, fun was had by all. And as has always been the case in the history of the S&S Swan events – there were no protests in this regatta.
The three days of competition on the racecourse between Marciana Marina and the Scoglietto di Portoferraio (which it towards the eastern side of the island) were generally characterized by light winds from the north. This forced the Race Committee, chaired by Andrea Bimbi, to reduce the distance by a few miles on the first day and then again on the final day. Nevertheless, fun was had by all. And as has always been the case in the history of the S&S Swan events – there were no protests in this regatta.
First place overall went to the Swan 36 Josian owned by Eugenio Alphandery, who also won first place in the Toremar class. Josian happens to be the smallest boat in the fleet. Second place overall went to Matteo Salamon’s Vanessa, the Swan 47, helmed as always by his wife Giulia. Third place overall was Mascalzone Latino XXXIII, Vincenzo Onorato’s Swan 38.
The 9th S&S regatta ended with the prize giving ceremony in Piazza Bonanno (back on the mainland). Some special awards were handed out in addition to the race winners. In first Overall Josian won both the prestigious Rod & Olin Stephens Royal Thames Yacht Club Trophy and the Club Swan Award offered by Nautor’s Swan; Vanessa, first in the Moby class, was awarded the Zeppelin Trophy, reserved for the most beautiful and elegant S&S Swan and offered by Jonathan Todhunter; Un amour de Swan, Giandomenico Iannetti’s Swan 44 received the award for the Best Maintained Swan.
The 10th S&S Swan Rendez-vous will return to the Circolo della Vela Marina di Marciana in 2023.
“We are very proud to be back in full operation after this last year and a half of health emergency,” said Enzo Daniellli, President of the Marine Association. “Given the excellent success of the event, we can’t wait for the next two years to go by for the 10th edition”.
Full results: https://www.classicswan.org/rendez_vous_3.php?codice=9
