Victory For Solenia II On Deutsche Bank Private
Banking Race Day
11th September 2002. Deutsche Bank Private Banking
Race Day saw an exciting coastal race for the fleet at the Swan Cup
2002, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, with Roberto Ferrero's
Swan 48 Solenia II (ITA) beating a host of larger boats to take the
overall victory for the day. Theirry De Passemar's Swan 70 Fast Net
(GBR) took line honours and won Class A on corrected time, but took
second place overall to Solenia II. Ferrrero's Swan 48 also holds
the overall lead after two races of this prestigious regatta.
Former IMS World Champion Lorenzo Bressani,
helmsman on board Solenia II, outlined the key moments in their victory.
"We had a very good start and as we are the fastest boat in Class
B, we could stay in front of the fleet and keep clear air. The only
moment when we had to make a big decision was coming downwind from
Monaci to Porto Cervo. We have been training here for two weeks and
when the mistral wind comes down we know where it shifts as it becomes
a tropical wind, so we sailed on the right and hugged the coast whilst
most of the others stayed in the middle . The wind swung right which
helped us.
However, the Italian explained that it will
be hard to keep the leaders position. "We're very happy because
we were not amongst the favourites before the event. The windward/
leewards will decide who is really the best, so it will make it hard
to stay in front."A forecast of more than 40
knots ensured a delay in racing until 13.30, with
a coastal course selected in preference to a windward/leeward race.
The wind gods provided the fleet with a respite after yesterday's
conditions with a 10-12 knot North/North Westerly breeze and flat
sea state.
Thierry De Passemar was delighted with the
way that his Swan 70, Fast.net performed. "We had a very good
start and took some good options. We had optimum conditions today,
with interesting tactical decisions throughout the race. We were very
focussed but it was fun. It's the first time that we've raced the
boat so we're still learning about it,and just trying to do our best."
Enrico Scerni's Swan 80 Kora (ITA), sailing
with America's Cup and Whitbread legend Paul Cayard took second place
in Class A with Roel Pieper's Swan 80 Favonius (NED) in third.
Class B was again dominated by the Swan 56's,
with Frank Savage's Lolita (USA) gaining revenge on Sir Geoffery Mulcahy's
Noonmark VI. (GBR). However it was Busch-Johannsen's German Swan 56
Blue that took the honours on corrected time.
The British Swan 48 Jacobite, skippered by Ben
James and Gabrielle Clarke, again dominated Class D with their second
consecutive victory. Martin Jacobson's Swan 44 Crescendo (USA) took
second place with Guenter Sell's Swan 47 Tortuga (GER) in third.
At the prizegiving, a minute's silence was observed
as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives on September 11th
last year.
Tomorrow will be the Volvo Ocean Race Day, with
the fleet emarking on a long coastal race in the region of 50-70 Nautical
Miles. Nine of the cruising fleet will be sailing to Pervero Bay just
off Porto Cervo.
Course details
Classes A and B sailed a 23 nautical mile course, whilst C and D raced
over 18 nautical miles, taking in Bisce Island, Monaci Island and
Pervero Bay.
Provisional Results - Deutsche Bank Private
Banking Race Day
Overall
1. Solenia 2 R.Ferrero Swan 48 ITA
2. Fast.net T.Passemar Swan 70 GBR
3. Kora E.Scerni Swan 80 ITA
4. Blue D. Busch-Johannsen Swan 56 GER
5. Favonius R.Pieper Swan 80 NED
Overall After 2 Races
1. Solenia 2 R.Ferrero Swan 48 ITA (7,1) 8 points
2.= Noonmark Sir G.Mulcahy Swan 56 GBR (1,9) 10 points
2.= Lolita F.Savage Swan 56 USA (2,8) 10 points
Class A
1. Fast.Net T.Passemar Swan 70 GBR
2. Kora E.Scerni Swan 80 ITA
3. Favonius R.Pieper Swan 80 NED
Class B
1. Blue D. Johannsen Swan 56 GER
2. Lolita F.Savage Swan 56 USA
3. Noonmark Sir G.Mulcahy Swan 56 GBR
Class C
1. Solenia2 R.Ferrero Swan 48 ITA
2. Trumpeter L.Triay Swan 46 GBR
3. Lumikki J.Kullas Swan 48 FIN
Class D
1. Jacobite G.Clarke/B.James Swan 48 GBR
2. Crescendo M.Jacobson Swan 44 USA
3. Tortuga G.Sell Swan 47 GER
