News
See all News Items
|
05.19.2010
Carribbean Swan Rendezvous 2010
Caribbean Swan Rendezvous 2010
After a one year hiatus, the Annual Swan Caribbean Rendezvous returned to the British Virgin Islands. Twenty Swans from 44ft to 82 gathered at the Bitter End Resort March 15th to the 20th for a busy week of racing and socials. The Swan Club in Europe was great at getting the word out early and we had and equal representation from Europe and the USA. Several of the European boats were spending the winter in the Caribbean and early notice about the event from Club Swan alerted them to add this magical week to their winter Calendar.
New boats ailing in the Rendezvous this year were Akarana and Early Purple from the UK, Astro de Lest from Austria, Cherie from Germany, Bergame from France, Geronimo from Holland, Pipe Dream from Finland and Strabo from Turkey. The higher than normal representation from Europe is solely because of the early commitment from Swan Europe to let Swan owners know about the return of this event.
The boats from the USA have known about the event for years and many boats were back for their second, third or more BVI Swan Rendezvous including, Mensae, Naia, Avocation, Blue Pigeon Two and the return of Affinity, Laughing Lady and Clover III.
After getting the world out Swan Europe drafted USA Swan broker Keith Yeoman to deliver for the week. And deliver in great form he did. Keith and his team made up primarily of his wife, Trish, son Matthew, along with Trishs parents Harold and Ann who was aboard the charter Swan 62 Schider, did a superb join of balancing the desire to compete and to enjoy the week.
New this year and a great benefit to Keith was the addition of a committee boat so aptly and affably run by Steve Devoe and Clem Napolitano from Jamestown Boat Yard from RI aboard their 40 years old Mathews power boat named Nette. Not only were the fun day races and Around Virgin Gorda Race run well, but Steve and Clem made it entertaining for all at the nightly awards ceremony. Although they were off pace at the final awards dinner due to the fact that they had to leave the party that night to make the run back to Sophers hole on the East end of Tortola to make their flights the next day.
Once again the Swan Owners Association of America was happy to sponsor and present the Best Maintained Swan Award at the end of the regatta. The award was presented by board member Hank Schmitt who presented the Award to Ronald Wulff owner of the Swan 51 Cherie from Hamburg Germany. There were many beautiful boats at the regatta, but being owner maintained tilted the judges in Cheries favor.
Other Awards not donated by our Association included the winning boat in the Around Virgin Gorda Race. The Round Virgin Gorda race held on the final day both starting and finishing at the BEYC was a highly competitive affair. Swan 82RS, Capo Giro, owned by Dick Weismann claimed line honors finishing the race in 3 hours, 7 minutes, 51 seconds. Swan 82 RS, Clevelander, chartered by Ed Campbell won the race with a corrected time of 3 hours, 36 minutes, 18 seconds. In second place was Swan 82RS Capo Giro, owned by Dick Weismann with a corrected time of 3 hours, 44 minutes, 28 seconds. Swan 46, Akarana, owned by Graham Deegan claimed third place with a corrected time of 3 hours, 46 minutes, 11 seconds. The Spirit of Swan Award was presented to Derya Pozcu, owner of Swan 70, Strabo, for having the best Swan Spirit throughout the week. Besides the daily races, Keith and company managed to include an hors doeuvres contest, boules tournament and a laser regatta so there was something for everyone throughout the event.
One spunky and very well run boat, the Swan 46 Akarana, has to be singled out for the week. Owned by Graham Deegan and expertly helmed by wife Libby, they won every day race for the week, both laser regattas (Libby on day one and Peter Newlands on the last) and placed 3rd in the Around the Island Race behind the two biggest Swans.
We hope the event return to the annual format and Club Swan helps get the word out early again for next year.
|
See all News Items
|
|
|
