News

Stunning conditions greeted the Gazprom Swan 60 fleet for the first day of racing at the Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship. After a delay to wait for the sea breeze during which the Swan owners were able to relax in the ClubSwan Regatta Village, the Solent treated the Swan 60 crews to a quintessential sea breeze day in the Eastern Solent. The sea breeze built quickly from due south reaching 8 knots and allowing the first race to start by 13.00. With a course of 1.4km and a building sea breeze, the competitors were set for a fabulous day of racing.

Having acted as translator for Valery Golubev, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee at the opening reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron, Polina Lyubomirova – daughter of the Commodore of the Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg, Vladimir Liubomirov – continued to demonstrate her skills racing alongside the Russian team onboard Bronenosec.

Enjoying her time afloat with her father, Polina commented; “I feel everyone is equal in this competition and it is never a problem that I race with my father and that we are related, there is such a great atmosphere onboard, we are all considered sportsmen. I do a lot of activities with my father and I like having someone who can teach and help me with my sport.”

Sponsored by Gazprom, the Swan 60 Bronenosec with Vladimir Liubomirov at the helm, guided by tactician Adrian Stead, strategist Tommaso Chieffi and navigator Francesco Mongelli finished the day leading the Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship after three races by one point from Royal Yacht Squadron member, Sir Peter Ogden onboard Knights of Crevichon.

Adrian Stead joined the Swan 60 crew again after sailing with them during the recent Round the Island Race in Cowes; “We had very good close racing today and it does very much feel like one design racing. We got a good start and got the first shift right so just in front at the first mark, Vladimir sailed the ship really well today, really concentrating hard. I first joined the crew for the Round the Island race which gave the guys a good chance to understand the Solent and how strong the currents are and also for me to get used to sailing with the team and sailing the Swan 60. It has been good fun today.”

Vladimir Luibomirov was also pleased with the outcome of day one; “I can say that the races today have been very well organised and the jury were really precise. The weather gave all of us plenty of opportunities and challenges at times. We had a much better performance and outcome in the second two races of the day, the wind was twice as strong and stable with good conditions. For me the Class is very exciting, the competition today was really good and everyone has a chance, the results are close after today which is great for this regatta.”

The ClubSwan Regatta Village offered a wonderful haven for the Swan crews after a successful first day of racing with after race refreshments served on their arrival ashore alongside live music and the imagery and footage of the day shared on giant screens.

Day Two looks set to offer similar wind conditions and the Race Committee has sensibly delayed the first start to 11.55 to allow the sea breeze time to build.