News

The Gazprom Swan 60 Class had an outstanding race on day 3 of the Rolex Swan Cup at Porto Cervo.  Starting in 20 knots plus, the fleet enjoyed a 51 nautical mile race around some of Costa Smeralda’s most picturesque islands.

Starting 1 mile to the East of Cape Farro the Swan 60s started on time and raced an 11 mark course with winds from the North West.  Bronenosec triumphed in 1^st place but this was not without a few challenges afloat.  The Saint Petersburg Yacht Club team had to fight back from a premature start, a significant tear in their mainsail and damage to both their spinnaker and code zero.

Tommaso Chieffi , Tactician, Bronenosec said, “it was a double edged sword today, we are happy to win but we are also sorry for the
damage we incurred.  Luckily we have our offshore main sail that we can use tomorrow as the tear in the main is irreparable”.

Bronenosec, a clear speed machine, overcame the starting handicap to play some good shifts up the first beat taking them past Swan 601 Wohpe into 1^st position.  The Russian entry was the first to then set their A3 which produced a safe lead for the team.  Unfortunately they then endured a large tear in the main splitting it in two through the gybe.  They held the main until the bottom of the leg and then during the spinnaker drop ripped it due to the damaged main sail.  Vladimir Liubomirov’s crew reached along nicely holding the main until a 24 knot gust forced them to drop the damaged main and sail under jib alone.  The team hoisted their trisail near to the Isle of Sofi and also the code zero, which subsequently broke.  The loss of the main sail upwind had a huge impact on their boat speed as Bronenosec lost the ability to point.  Pevero Bay was the last mark of the course before heading to the finish where Bronenosec outstandingly kept their lead intact.

Stephen Cucchiaro’s USA team on board Petite Flamme also put in an excellent result finishing in 3^rd place, this fresh face in the Gazprom Swan 60 fleet is really making an impact on the podium positions.  The team now counts a 4^th and 3^rd place, Mr Cucchiaro is tied in 4^th with @robas.

Bronenosec is safe in 2^nd place, 1^st overall is within close reach with Wohpe only 1 point in front.

Results Race 2:
1st  Broneosec
2nd  Wohpe
3rd  Petite Flamme
4th  Vertical Smile

Summary of results http://www.yccsfiles.com/results/rsc14/entry/s14a1_entry.htm

Course raced day 3:
Isle of Bisce (S)
Yellow inflatable (S) - 300m E of Beacon of Secca Tre Monti
Isle of Monaci (P)
Isle of Barettinelli (S)
La Madelena Island (P)
Yellow inflatable (P) - 300m E of Beacon of Secc Tre Monti
Isle of Le Bisce (P)
Isle of Mortoriotto (S)
Mortorio Island(S)
Sofi Island (S)
Pevero Bay mark (S)