Tarantella Makes Historic Return
Tarantella, the very first production yacht ever built by Nautor Swan, is set to make a remarkable return to competitive racing. Commissioned in 1966 by the shipyard’s founder, Pekka Koskenkylä, the 36-foot vessel has not competed in decades. The Mistral winds, which are known for their strength in the region, will likely give the Tarantella a powerful boost during the event. The racing will be held at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, and the fleet will include both historic and modern yachts.
Among the boats entering the race will be the brand-new Swan 80, the flagship models from the Swan 128 series, and the 131-foot Swan, the longest of its kind ever constructed. The 51-foot yacht Formosa will also be featured, having once belonged to Nautor Swan’s chairman, Leonardo Ferragamo. This mix of vintage and contemporary vessels highlights the evolution and heritage of Nautor Swan.
The 23rd edition of the Rolex Swan Cup is part of the shipyard’s 60th-anniversary celebrations and will see over 160 yachts competing. Many of these boats will be racing for the first time ever. The competition will run from September 23 to September 26, with each day bringing new challenges across the waters of Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena archipelago. Winners in each category will receive a trophy and a specially engraved Rolex.
Participants can also look forward to an array of social events. On Thursday, there will be a special owners' dinner, followed by the famous Rolex Crew Party on Friday. The weekend concludes with the prize-giving ceremony on Saturday. Daily post-race gatherings will take place in Piazza Azzurra, adding to the festive atmosphere of the event.
Andrea Recordati, commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, emphasized what makes the Rolex Swan Cup so special: 'Since its very first edition, the Rolex Swan Cup has been defined by its family spirit, with owners and crews returning to the waters of the Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena Archipelago not only to race in a unique setting, but above all to gather together.'