News

08.15.2009

Very Successful Rendezvous July 23 to 26

The Swan Owners Association Swan Rendezvous was held July 23^rd to 26^th in NewportRI. Twenty-four Swans participated with the Swan 80 “Selene” taking top honors in the highly contested Racing Division and the Swan 60 “Clover III” winning the Cruising Boat Division.

Organized by the American Swan Owners Association to fill a void with the cancellation of the Swan North American Regatta, Board President Bob Scribner and fellow Board members John Santa and Hank Schmitt were overjoyed to see a larger than expected turnout. The Rendezvous started with a cocktail reception at the New York Yacht Club Harbor Court Facility in Newport. Swan CEO Gianlucca Brozzetti flew in from Europe to lend support and recognize the passion of Swans owners in America.  Banners from sponsors Swan, Pantaenius, Harken and Offshore Passage Opportunities adorned the new tent at the Regatta Office Building keeping sailors warm and dry.

Showers and gusty conditions continued into Friday morning, so a wise decision to raise the AP flag for a one hour postponement was well received to allow the skies and morning cobwebs to clear and wind to settle down to 20-25 knots. Regatta Race Chairman Steve Devoe of Jamestown Boat Yard did a superb job of balancing the needs of the Racing boats in Division One and liberal use of the VHF radio to start the Pursuit Division in order. The sun came out and the winds held steady for the race under the 40 year old Newport Bridge, up Narragansett Bay, around Prudence Island for the racers, but a more direct course to Bristol RI for the Pursuit course, to have everyone arrive about the same time for our Lobster Bake on the lawn of Bristol Yacht Club. 

At the daily awards presentation, the Swan Owners Association presented a check for $1450 to the East Bay Sailing Foundation in memory of Ray Peterson, past commodore of the Swan Association, and lead organizer of this year’s Rendezvous. His wife, Erika, stayed onboard to help with the details, and this was one of the ways the group was able say “Thank You”.

The committee in charge of wind and weather were spot on the next day by switching wind direction to the south and staying strong enough for the long course lapping around Prudence Island to be used. With the Cruising division rounding Prudence Island in the opposite direction, the two fleets converged in opposite directions with the Swan 68 “Chippewa’s” Indian-Chief-spinnaker logo chasing down “Selene’s” topless maiden logo at 12 to 15 knots. A thrilling sight for all!

The finish line was set right off Jamestown Boat Yard opposite Newport Harbor where everyone on both courses finished their upwind beat amongst the throngs of boats enjoying a blustery summer day. 

Jamestown Boat Yard hosted the fleet Saturday night to a BBQ under the big tent with awards and gifts for all the Swan Owners. Selene won the “Swan Challenge” Trophy for the best all around performance and the “Highland Fling” Award for best owner/driver went to Rob Tullman of the Swan 46 “Destiny”.

Future plans  include association support for the Annual NARC Rally from Newport to the Caribbean November 1^st, help with the Swan BVI Rendezvous, and certainly plans for next summer’s 2^nd Annual Swan Owners Association Rendezvous.