Swan European Regatta at the Royal Yacht Squadron - Overall
by Katy Gilmartin 17 Jul 2009 20:41 BST
13-17 July 2009
The 14th edition of the Swan European Regatta concluded today with the eighth race of the event and the Final Prize Giving at the Royal Yacht Squadron. With winds of up to 35 knots threatening areas of the Solent, the Race Committee managed to fit in the final race over a 13 mile course before any rain descended at the regatta base in Cowes. The three classes of Swan yachts began the final race with a south westerly breeze which blew between 15 and 20 knots consistently until the finish. With fierce competition for second and third positions on the scoreboard, the final overall winners in each class all held onto their top positions from yesterday.
In Class A, Ian Laing’s Saccenach (GBR) claimed the event victory after dominating the fleet for the week. Swan 48 Elan (GER) was presented with the Class B overall prize with their family crew, lead by Harald Baum, delighted to add their new Swan European Champion title to their original SER victory from 1987. Meanwhile, the Class B victory went to Alan Major’s Moustique (GBR) who finished with a 4 point lead on French representatives Rauwolfia.
The Final Prize Giving also hosted the presentation of the Source Trophy for the best team performance, incorporating a yacht from each class, which went to overall winner Sassenach, Ray Mitchell’s Accomplice and Swan 37 Alice IV. The traditional Highland Fling prize, for the highest placed owner driver, was awarded to Class B winner Harald Baum of Elan.
Looking back on the event, Nautor’s Swan Marketing Director, Enrico Chieffi, commented, “The atmosphere at this year’s Swan European Regatta has been wonderful with a great mix of competitiveness and friendship that is unique to our community and events. The race committee and jury for the event, and the Royal Yacht Squadron, did a fantastic job to manage racing on every day of the week as scheduled.”
Overall Results:
Class A
1 Sassenach, Swan 53, Ian Laing (GBR) 1-5-1-1-1-2-1-1, 8pts
2 Silveren Swaen, Swan 53, P H Bakker (NED) 4-3-2-3-2-1-2-2, 15pts
3 Noonmark VI, Swan 56, Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy (GBR) 2-2-4-2-4-3-6-5, 22pts
Class B
1 Elan, Swan 48, Harald Baum (GER) 2-6-1-2-1-1-2-1, 10pts
2 Le Quatre Juillet, Swan 411, Don Wood, 5-1-3-4-2-3-1-3, 17pts
3 Christina, Swan 40, David Segel (GBR) 4-3-2-1-3-2-6-5, 20pts
Class C
1 Moustique, Swan 41, Alan Major (GBR) 2-7-2-4-4-1-6-2, 21pts
2 Rauwolfia, Swan 371, Michel Cormier (FRA) 3-5-12-1-7-2-4-3, 25pts
3 Cisne, Swan 43, D Collins / A Thorpe (GBR) 5-1-1-2-DNF-DNC-1-1, 26pts