Rolex Swan Cup held at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in the North Sound on Virgin Gorda, BVI – March 3 – 7, 2015
Photography courtesy of YCCS
The 2015 Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean attracted 21 luxurious yachts, exclusively built by Nautor’s Swan, for the five-day biennial sailing regatta; this was in celebration of the long standing partnership of over 30 years between Nautor’s Swan, Rolex, and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS).
The regatta is more than just a sporting event, as owners of Swan yachts from across the world gather to engage in sportive competition and also participate in the glamorous social experiences hosted by Club-Swan and YCCS.
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Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean is therefore a celebration of both racing and socialising between passionate sailors, who take pride in their Swan yachts on the beautiful island of Virgin Gorda in the BVI.
Why the North Sound is a Sailor’s Paradise
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The North Sound on Virgin Gorda is a nautical paradise like none other. Its location provides visitors with smooth, clear waters, and favourable year-round sailing conditions. This marine playground is not only the home to several anchorages, but also a selection of luxurious resorts, restaurants, and accommodations, as well as shopping hot spots and numerous water sports. The secluded area is best explored by boat, as some of the anchorages are only accessible by water vessels.
Rolex
Rolex designs and manufactures some of the world’s most illustrious timepieces, esteemed for their incredible performance and prominent reliability. Today, the internationally recognised brand is treasured by millions of customers across the globe, who are proud to sport the very best in luxury accessories. The company was also the original manufacturer of The Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, developed in 1926. Because of their durability, precision and unique design catered to withstand a variety of conditions, the Rolex watches remain a favourite amongst athletes and extreme sport enthusiasts, especially those who sail.
Nautor’s Swan
Nautor’s Swan is a renowned brand of high performance sailing yachts, handcrafted in Northern Finland. Their range—the Swan Line—features eight models of the finest quality sailing yachts, ranging from 53 to 115 feet in length, and built for both competitive sailing and long distance cruising. The company proudly holds a long lasting reputation for quality and excellence within the business of luxury yacht building. It is the design, craftsmanship and attention to quality and detail, which sets the brand apart from any other yachts.
Since the foundation of the company in 1966, Nautor’s Swan has built more than 2000 Swans ranging from 36 to 131 feet in length. Swans are renowned for both their aesthetic appeal and stylish comfort, as well as their outstanding performances on the water. In 1974, during the first ever Whitbread Round the World Race, the winner was a ketch rigged Swan 65 by the name of Sayula II, testament to Nautor’s Swan’s credibility as builders of high-performance yachts. The boats are powerful, reliable, and safe, built with the best quality materials and latest innovative technological advancements.
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS)
“At YCCS, we always try to be ahead of what’s happening in the yachting industry. We like to be aware of new trends coming out, and how they’re interesting for our sailors, members, and sponsors. We try to act accordingly and be on the forefront.” – Jan Pachner, Secretary General, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
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Serving as the venue of the biennial regatta, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in the North Sound on Virgin Gorda offers a prime location for this world renowned sporting event. The state-of-the-art super yacht marina and exclusive clubhouse, showcase the best in luxury sailing vessels and affluent nautical lifestyles. The YCCS was originally founded in Porto Cervo, Sardinia in 1967 by H.H. the Aga Khan—the current president—as a non-profit sporting association to serve those in the sailing community.
The beautiful location in the North Sound was chosen to be the organisation’s new winter base in 2012, to hold prestigious events such as the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean and the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous. Jan Pachner, YCCS Secretary General, remarked, “There are a number of reasons why the BVI is such a perfect location for the YCCS: the natural beauty of the place and the great sailing conditions, as well as the political safety, the people here, and the overall environment.”
The Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean 2015
This year, the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean was a tremendous success. The beautiful weather delivered consistent breezes upwards of 20 knots, for a challenging, yet healthy competition between all those who participated in the races. Swan 80 Selene claimed victory as the winner of Class A, and James Blackmore’s Swan 53 Music took first place in Class B, after both crews gave outstanding performances in all four races.
“This has been a wonderful event for everyone – the owners, the crews, their families and friends. There is something for everyone and the atmosphere is simply unique. The Rolex Swan Cup is always a showcase of passion and sportsmanship, and a testament to the joy of sailing,” commented Nautor’s Swan Chairman, Leonardo Ferragamo.
Lauren Charley
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