ROLEX SWAN CUP: A RECORD EDITION CELEBRATES SIX DECADES OF SWAN
The 2026 Rolex Swan Cup concluded in Porto Cervo following an extraordinary week of racing, celebration and camaraderie, bringing together 170 yachts and more than 2,000 sailors for one of the largest gatherings ever staged in the history of Swan.
Representing 30 nations, with crews travelling from as far as Australia, Japan and New Zealand, the fleet formed a remarkable living timeline of six decades of Swan design, innovation and sailing culture. Together, the participating yachts would stretch for more than a mile and a half if placed in a single line.
From Tarantella, the Swan 36 designed by Sparkman & Stephens and one of the early cruising yachts to feature the innovative separation of rudder and keel, to the magnificent Swan 128, representing contemporary technology and timeless style, the fleet showcased the evolution of Swan yacht design.
Across six decades, designers including Sparkman & Stephens, Ron Holland, German Frers and Juan Kouyoumdjian have each contributed to a distinctive design legacy that continues to define the Swan name.
A Celebration of the Swan Family for several days, the pontoons of Marina di Porto Cervo became the heart of the Swan world, bringing together owners, sailors, designers and enthusiasts united by a shared passion for sailing, craftsmanship and the sea.
One of the defining moments came before racing began with the Dance of the Swans, when the entire fleet participated in a spectacular sail around Isola dei Monaci. The sight of generations of Swan yachts sailing together created one of the most memorable images of the anniversary edition.
“There is something unique about Swans. For any other brand, it would be practically impossible to organise an event like this,” said Paul Cayard, Rolex ambassador and former member of the Nautor Swan Board of Directors.
For Gianguido Girotti, Nautor Swan’s new CEO, the event demonstrated that the connection between Swan and its owners extends far beyond technology and performance.
“I have only been here for a few months, but I immediately understood the great difference compared with other brands. It is the pride of owning a Swan, a unique dream in the world of sailing.”
That sense of belonging was a defining feature of the 2026 edition, with more than 2,000 sailors gathering in Porto Cervo not simply to compete, but to celebrate the lifestyle, passion and community universally known as the Swan family.
ClubSwan Racing Delivers a Thrilling Finale the 2026 ClubSwan racing series concluded with a highly competitive final day as the Swan One Design and Swan Legacy fleets crowned their overall winners.
In the Swan classes, Freya (Swan 90) claimed the Swan Maxi title following an impressive comeback that included victories in the final three races. Arobas (Swan 601) secured the Swan Mini-Maxi title through consistent performances, while From Now On (Swan 45) took the Swan Cruiser Racer title after three consecutive race victories.
Among the Swan Legacy yachts, Shirlaf (Swan 65) prevailed in the closely contested Sparkman & Stephens ≥47′ class, edging Elan on the final day. Pride (Swan 44) won the Sparkman & Stephens ≤44′ category and also secured the overall title among the Legacy yachts.
Lunz am Meer (Swan 651) dominated the Classics by Frers class, while Katia (Swan 39) represented Ron Holland design in the Swan Legacy fleet.
In Swan Pure Cruising, Black Zero (Swan 51) secured victory on countback, while Azzurro (Swan 78) completed a dominant series in the Swan Maxi Pure Cruising class with three consecutive wins.
The ClubSwan One Design fleets provided an equally compelling finale. Earlybird, owned by Hendrik Brandis with Francesco “Checco” Bruni calling tactics, won the ClubSwan 50 following an outstanding series that included five victories from seven races. Cuordileone finished second, with Hatari third.
In the ClubSwan 43, Team 42+1 secured the title after six consecutive victories followed by second place in the final race.
The ClubSwan 42 championship was decided by the narrowest of margins. Nadir and Pez de Abril finished level on points with identical countback scores, with Nadir ultimately taking the title thanks to victory in the final race.
Cuordileone dominated the ClubSwan 36, winning the opening four races and securing the overall title ahead of Goddess and Fra Martina.
In the ClubSwan 28, Anya Race claimed victory by a single point over Black Swan, with Marcello completing the podium.
The final day brought the 2026 ClubSwan racing programme to a fitting conclusion, marked by decisive performances, exceptionally close classifications and victories built on consistency and strong finishing form.
The Fabio Gallia Trophy: Sailing Beyond Competition the spirit of passion, friendship and respect for the sea was embodied by the Fabio Gallia Trophy, awarded to French sailor Catherine Chabaud, who raced aboard Storm alongside fellow French sailor Lionel Lemonchois.
Chabaud made history as the first woman to complete the Vendée Globe, the solo, non-stop round-the-world race, which she contested twice. In the 1996–1997 edition, she finished sixth overall aboard Whirlpool Europe 2. She has crossed the Atlantic 15 times and began her competitive sailing career in 1991 with the Mini Transat.
Following her offshore racing career, Chabaud turned her attention to journalism and marine conservation, continuing a long-standing commitment to the protection of the world’s oceans.
Two years earlier, the Fabio Gallia Trophy was presented to Marco Trombetti following his participation in the Ocean Globe Race aboard Translated 9, which also returned to compete at this year’s Rolex Swan Cup.
Celebrating the People Behind the Swan Story the Rolex Swan Cup’s sense of community extended ashore during the Rolex Swan Cup Crew Party, where a series of special awards recognised the people and stories that make the Swan world unique.
Among the most touching moments was the recognition of the Swan 44 S&S Hokusai, which welcomed the youngest sailor participating in the opening Dance of the Swans: owner Oliver Hartas’s five-month-old daughter, already introduced to life at sea and the Swan family.
The Swan 53 Galadriel, owned by photographer Luca Villata, received the Best Maintained Swan recognition following an extensive refit undertaken by Swan Global Service in Scarlino.
The Spirit of Swan Award was presented to Windekind, sailed exclusively by members of the same family, father, mother and son.
The ClubSwan Ambassador Award went to Filip Beyens, owner of the Swan 51 Vesper, recognising his commitment and contribution to the continued growth of the ClubSwan fleet alongside fellow members of the Swan community.
Looking Ahead to the Next Chapter as the 2026 Rolex Swan Cup drew to a close, Luisa Bambozzi announced the next major appointment on the Swan calendar.
“The next edition of The Nations Trophy 2027 will take place in Porto Cervo from 2 to 5 June 2027. It will be an event destined to serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2028 edition of the Rolex Swan Cup. I would like to thank all the owners who have followed us and participated with such enthusiasm.”
From classic Swans to the latest generation of high-performance yachts, and from legendary designers to a new generation of sailors, the 2026 Rolex Swan Cup demonstrated that the Swan story extends far beyond the yachts themselves.
It is a story of heritage, design, performance, friendship and belonging a shared passion that continues to unite generations of sailors in some of the world’s most celebrated waters.
As the sails came down on a record-breaking edition in Porto Cervo, the Swan family was already looking ahead to its next chapter.
