There is a new player in the world of high-performance one-design racing, and the ClubSwan 80 is set to make an immediate and profound impression on planet sailing when she makes her competitive debut at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
My Song Interiors
Intended to be competitive at the top level of professional regatta racing the ClubSwan 80 clearly possesses the Swan racing DNA coming complete with twin rudders, canting keel, rotating canard and retractable bowsprit, while the interior offers the prospect of a ‘second life’ as a fast sports cruising yacht.
The ClubSwan 80 is a further milestone in the development of the overall Nautor Swan range and completes the ClubSwan Yachts one-design range alongside the hi-tech ClubSwan 36, the ground-breaking ClubSwan 50, and the super-Maxi ClubSwan 125.
As a key component in the ClubSwan Racing concept originally envisioned by Nautor Group President Leonardo Ferragamo, the ClubSwan 80 was made reality by the combined effort, talent and imagination of Giovanni Pomati and Enrico Chieffi, Nautor Group’s CEO and Senior Advisor respectively, yacht designer Juan Kouyoumdjian, yacht builder Marcello Persico, the CEO of Persico Marine, and interior designer Mario Pedol of Nauta Design.
A vision of one-design racing brought to life
Since taking the helm at Nautor Swan in 1998 Leonardo Ferragamo has consistently championed real-time one-design racing alongside handicap racing and commissioned a growing range of one-design yachts which have remained true to Swan’s heritage and values of quality, elegance and reliability, while introducing market leading innovations and performance.
The first in the one-design portfolio was the Swan 45, followed by the ClubSwan 42 and – marking Swan’s 50th anniversary in 2016 – the ClubSwan 50. The technologically advanced and the foil assisted ClubSwan 36 hit the water in 2019, with Nautor Swan’s largest-ever yacht the super-Maxi ClubSwan 125 making her debut in 2021. The ClubSwan 80 neatly fills in the gap between the 50 and 125.
“We have always believed that Nautor Swan had a central role to play in the promotion and development of one-design yachts and racing,” said Ferragamo.
“While the performance-cruisers in the Swan Yachts line remain at the very heart of what Nautor Swan is and always has been about, ClubSwan is bringing a new generation to sailing attracted by the fun and level racing that is possible with one-design.
“Owners appreciate that one-design racing is exciting and cost-effective, with yachts better maintaining their value, while crews know their skill and abilities can make the difference out on the water,” he added.
ClubSwan was set up in 1999 and has evolved since then with, for example, the launch of The Nations League in 2017 which has restored friendly competition between nations to the world of sailing. A dedicated professional race management team plans and delivers the range of events and regattas.
In addition, one-design rules have been introduced aimed at fostering the friendly competitive spirit that remains the hallmark of Swan racing. These include a strict owner-driver requirement, a restriction on the number of professional sailors allowed, and a limit on annual sail replacements.
Ferragamo added: “Swan has always had a fantastic tradition and reputation, so we have simply sought to develop the interaction with our customers, offering Swan owners more services, privileges, and racing opportunities.
“The ClubSwan 80 is another important and unique milestone along that road, another step on the Swan journey.”
Responding to the diverse needs of Swan owners
Nautor Swan has always celebrated its ability to offer a diverse range of yachts to its customers, all of which embody the values of innovation, technology, style, and competitive sailing potential.
This has enabled the company to both anticipate and respond to the changing needs of a vibrant market and the lifestyle choices of customers.
“The ClubSwan 80 is a new chapter in an ongoing story,” said Giovanni Pomati, Nautor Group’s CEO. “As part of the ClubSwan range she is a Maxi designed as a pure racer with high-performance built in as standard.
“At the same time the ClubSwan 80 offers the possibility of adding comfort, so owners can opt for racing or cruising to meet the needs of the moment. It is a bold and innovative solution which offers a diversity of choice. Evolution has always been part of Nautor Swan’s DNA.”
Construction of the ClubSwan 80 was entrusted to strategic partner Persico Marine, the international boatyard based in Nembro, Italy, renowned worldwide for its expertise in building high-performance yachts.
“We could not have asked for a more collaborative and successful relationship than we achieved with Persico Marine,” said Pomati. “It has been a privilege and a pleasure.”
