Swan 45 Class President's Summer Cruise 2010

15 July 2010

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As the sun set over the Costa Smeralda, the 2nd annual Swan 45 President’s Cruise drew to a close. Having enjoyed four days of perfect sailing between the breathtaking islands, the owners and friends from eight countries gathered this evening at the stunning Yacht Club Costa Smeralda for the closing dinner and prizegiving.

Hosted and organised by Swan 45 Class President Vittorio Codecasa, the Swan 45 Class President’s Summer Cruise has already become a tradition with planning underway for the 2011 edition in Sicily. The Cruise brings together fellow Swan owners and friends and provides the opportunity to share in the enjoyment of cruising, as well as some friendly racing. Following on from the success of the inaugural edition in July 2009, this year’s cruise provided a bit of a warm up for the Rolex Swan 45 Worlds, which will take place from 12-18 September in Porto Cervo.

On day one YCCS Commodore Edoardo Recchi led the Race Committee on the water to set the official start for the Swan 45s. With 12 knots of breeze, the fleet headed south to Mortorio Island for the first ‘swim’ stop of the cruise. It was Swan 45 FEVER, owned by Klaus Diederichs and Grant Gordon who led the pack most of the day and would set the pace for the days to come.

That evening, as the fleet slipped into their berths in front of the new Yacht Club Porto Rotondo, the showers were running and by 8pm, the group were sipping Codecasa’s Ca’Nova wines and dining in the company of Commodore Carpeneda and his wife who made the trip from La Maddalena to welcome the group.

In 2009, it the liquid rules governed the event, meaning that for every nautical mile one led by, the owner would be obliged to drink one Hendricks gin and tonic. For Finnish owner Tea Ekengren-Sauren who was cruising without much anchor chain, this meant many rounds in Bonifacio last July. While in 2010, the Class President introduced the ‘safety car’ meaning that when there was not sufficient breeze to continue racing, the boats could ask the fleet by VHF if all would agree to motor until the wind picked up again, maintaining their positions. On day two, as the Swan 45s headed to Tavolara, it was the President who was quick to ask for the safety car to ensure everyone reached the stunning bay on Molara for an afternoon swim and lunch.

On the downwind stretch back to Porto Rotondo, as the sun set, Boat Captain Rosario Vannuchi transformed into bartender onboard FEVER and began mixing Hendricks gin and tonics, in preparation for the cocktail party that would follow on the dock for all the participants.

The last stop on the cruise was Santa Teresa di Gallura, at the North end of the island. It was Blue Nights that led the group, to claim the overall prize of the day. While it was the Dutch onboard RW Bol’s No Limits who took home the ‘1st Overall – Cruising Class” for their determination to make the most of the cruising grounds and their new Dacron sails. But with only one gennaker onboard and one jib, there was plenty of room for provisions. With a menu that included quail cooked in white wine and stuffed with prunes, it is not a surprise that their self nominated chef, Joost Oomen (known as the Principessa della Cucina) was also awarded the ‘Cook’s Prize”.

All in all, a great way to spend a couple of days in good company, magnificent surroundings and onboard a Swan 45.

Jennifer Hall

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