The Nations League – Swan One Design Worlds, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in partnership with ClubSwan Racing, set sail this afternoon under challenging conditions off the coast of Porto Cervo. The regatta, featuring 35 boats divided across four classes—ClubSwan 50, ClubSwan 42, ClubSwan 36, and the newly launched ClubSwan 28—delivered a dramatic opening day of racing.
Racing commenced on schedule at 12:00 CEST, with each class navigating separate starts. The larger classes completed two races each, while the ClubSwan 28 fleet managed three races on their dedicated course, marking the debut Gold Cup competition for the model.
Sailors faced a demanding first day on the water as an unstable northeast breeze, initially blowing at 12 knots, faded to around 6 knots and gradually rotated north. A 1.5-metre sea state added further complexity, testing both skill and strategy across the fleet.
ClubSwan 50: Earlybird and Moonlight Neck and Neck
The ClubSwan 50 class witnessed a fierce contest from the outset, with Earlybird and Moonlight tied on points at the top of the leaderboard. Thanks to better placement in the second race, Earlybird currently holds the provisional lead. Cuordileone, with consistent fourth-place finishes, trails five points behind in third.
“It was a difficult day, especially for the helmsman and trimmers,” said Earlybird tactician Manu Weiller. “With big waves and light wind, precision is key. But our team performed brilliantly—that’s why we’re tied for the lead.”
ClubSwan 36: Mamao Holds Narrow Lead
Nine boats contested the ClubSwan 36 category, with top contenders exchanging blows. G Spot edged out defending champion Mamao in the first race, but it was Fra Martina who claimed a commanding victory in race two. Two consistent second-place finishes put Brazil’s Mamao at the top of the provisional rankings, one point ahead of Fra Martina and two ahead of G Spot.
ClubSwan 42: Three-Way Battle at the Top
The ClubSwan 42 fleet closed day one with a tightly packed leaderboard. Canopo (1-3) holds a narrow lead over Nadir (4-1) and Pez de Abril (3-2), who are tied on points. Koiré – Spirit of Nerina (2-4) sits just off the podium in fourth with six points, setting the stage for a tense continuation.
ClubSwan 28: Play Bigger Sets the Pace
In the debut Gold Cup for the ClubSwan 28 class, American entry Play Bigger (4-2-1) leads the standings by a single point after three races. Japan’s Swing (3-3-2) follows closely in second, with Anya Race (5-1-3) and Marcello (1-4-4) tied in third, each having posted a race win.
Italian Olympic sailor Jana Germani, tactician aboard Play Bigger, praised both the performance and the setting: “Porto Cervo is incredible, and the organisation has been flawless. We found our rhythm across the races, finishing with a win—it’s been a fantastic start.”
Looking Ahead
Racing will resume tomorrow with lighter conditions forecast. The first warning signal has been postponed by one hour to 1:00 p.m. CEST. A shift in weather is expected later in the week, with stronger Mistral winds anticipated to challenge the fleet further.
Related topics: