Swan One Design Worlds Winners 2021 SlideShow
0G-Spot wins the ClubSwan 36
Raving Swan triumphs in the ClubSwan 42
Motions defends its World Championship title in the Swan 45
Hatari crowned World Champion in the ClubSwan 50
Swan has crowned its winners across the four classes of the Swan One Design Worlds after a week characterised by challenging conditions. The triumphant owners and crews have the right to consider themselves the best in the world after battling to the top of the leader board in St Tropez.
After a final day that delivered more shifty wind and allowed two races only for the two smaller classes, there were some fresh faces on the podium. Newcomer Jerome Stubler’s ClubSwan 42 Raving Swan gave a masterclass in consistent performance on his way to victory. After the day’s first race he was level-pegging with Natalia, but in second place because he hadn’t scored a bullet in the week. There was a nervous wait to hear whether a second race would be held, before a crackled message from the race committee in the affirmative.
Stubler’s voice breaks as he relates the story. “Luckily they ran a new race and then we had two boats to mark – Natalia and Spirit of Nerina. It was a tough race and my son did really well in taking the shift and marking. Really, I still feel the emotion. I’m very, very happy for the team.”
In the new ClubSwan 36 class, it was Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s boat G-Spot which clung onto a commanding lead to close out the regatta. Three bullets at the start of the regatta had set them up, and excellent tactical sailing in today’s two races allowed them to fend off a late challenge from Fra Martina.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said G-Spot tactician Michele Paoletti. “We worked really hard all the season and got a good result on the Nations League circuit. This was the last one, so it’s super good. The sailing area has been really tricky – the wind was shifting a lot. We managed the first two days really well and have also been a little bit lucky, which of course you always need.”
In truth, G-Spot has led throughout, counting just one poor finish in fickle winds on day three of the #competition. Though Serena di Lapigio’s team only joined the class this season, he and his crew have huge experience from the Melges 32 and have always looked like a force to be reckoned with.
In the Swan 45 class, last year’s World Champion Motions made it two in a row. With just one race in the day for the 45s, there was an element of match racing to the duel between Lennard van Oeveren’s Motions and Argentinian Fernando Chain’s From Now On.
Crews and owners brought traffic in the centre of St Tropez to a standstill as they gathered for the final prizegiving. Nautor Group CEO Giovanni Pomati paid tribute to a great venue. “We are at the end of this fantastic season. Thank you to the city of St Tropez for hosting us and giving us the opportunity to see this incredible event, which will remain in our hearts for a long time. It was a prolongation of our summer – this sunny and warm home with the autumn colours. We had to pay for that with some changing wind conditions, but that just made it even more challenging for the teams.”
ClubSwan Racing’s head of Swan sports activities, Federico Michetti, looked back on a terrific season. “I am seriously proud of what we’ve achieved – 40 races, five venues, 41 boats, 500 sailors – it’s something unique. Having the worlds in St Tropez now has been a fantastic emotion. Super tight racing with a lot of fun, family spirit – this is Swan, this is unique. But tomorrow we will start to work hard for 2022. Next season is already very close.”
Daily prizes were jointly presented by hosts the Société Nautique de St Tropez and by the town of St Tropez itself. Then the winners were awarded a beautiful piece of modern art featuring the famous red and blue swirl of ClubSwan Racing. Special thanks were also given to ClubSwan Racing’s other partners, including BMW, Rolex, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ferrari Trento, Sease, Banor, North Sails, Quantum Sails, Gottifredi & Maffioli, Garmin, B&G and Marevivo.