Marcus Brennecke's "Hatari" is once again number one in the ClubSwan Racing King Class. With tactician Markus Wieser, the German yacht dominated the field of 13 ClubSwan 50 yachts from five nations. The crew secured overall victory in the large class of ClubSwan regatta sailing thanks to consistent top performances with an outstanding twelve points, made up of two first places, two second places and two third places. A seventh place was cancelled out as the worst result. Andrea Lacorte's "Vitamina" and Leonardo Ferragamo's "Cuordileone" sailed to second and third place with 25 and 26 points respectively.
This is also a reward for the good preparation work of our team" (Marcus Brennecke)
"Hatari" owner and helmsman Marcus Brennecke was accordingly happy: "It was a fantastic week, I always enjoy sailing here. I was here for the first time in 1984 for the Sardinia Cup. I always enjoy coming back to Porto Cervo." Commenting on the sailing conditions at the Nations Cup, Marcus Brennecke said: "We experienced a great variety of winds. The coastal regatta with a strong mistral enabled us to sail 26 knots downwind, setting a speed record for our boat!"
Brennecke explains what attracts not only the "Hatari" crew to ClubSwan regatta sailing and the Nations Cup: "The level of competition is very high. We won thanks to the consistency of our results. This is also a reward for the preparatory work done by a team that works very well together, in which everyone gives their best and in which everyone feels comfortable."
Italy was the best nation in the team
In the ClubSwan 42 class, Andrea Rossi's "Mela" with Enrico Zennaro as tactician won on equal points ahead of "Nadir". The Spanish boat had to accept a penalty on the final day. Third place went to "Pez de Abril" by José María Meseguer thanks to a victory in the last race.
Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's "G Spot" confirmed her dominance of the Nations Trophy off Porto Cervo in the ClubSwan 36 with a fourth win of the day. As a result, di Lapigio's boat finished the event with just nine points, while the second and third-placed boats - Edoardo Ferragamo's "Cuordileone" and the Pavesio brothers' "Fra Martina" - took second and third place with 18 points each. "Cuordileone" won the tiebreaker due to its race win in the fifth race of the Nations Trophy.
A celebration for ClubSwan Racing
The Nations Trophy - Swan One Design is a biennial regatta that honours the individual achievements of crews, but also recognises national team performances. Last time, the Nations Trophy went to Germany. This year, Italy won thanks to the combined performance of the ClubSwan 50s "Vitamina" and "Cuordileone". Second place went to Germany with "Hatari" and "Xai Vision". The Principality of Monaco sailed to third place with the ClubSwan 36 "G Spot" and the ClubSwan 50 "Moonlight".
YCCS Commodore Michael Illbruck, whose Team Illbruck Challenge won the Ocean Race 21 years ago, said at the awards ceremony: "I would like to thank everyone who came to Porto Cervo for the regatta, especially Leonardo Ferragamo, who chose the YCCS to celebrate 25 years since the takeover of Nautor Swan and the founding of ClubSwan Racing."
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
