@Robas claims 2009 Swan Maxi Class Champion title

@Robas wins the 2009 Swan Maxi Class Champion title © Carlo Borlenghi / Rolex

@Robas wins the 2009 Swan Maxi Class Champion title © Carlo Borlenghi / Rolex

Following a testing Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, which marked the finale of this year’s Swan Maxi Circuit in typical Porto Cervo racing conditions, Swan 601 @Robas (FRA) has claimed the 2009 Swan Maxi Class Champion title.

The French crew onboard the 601, led by owner/driver Gerard Logel, have been key participants in the Swan Maxi Circuit since the introduction of the Class in 2008. Logel’s entry finished with a 2 point lead on the overall Swan Maxi 2009 Circuit scoreboard above 2008 Class Champion Swan 80 Favonius.

The 2009 Swan Maxi Class Circuit began at Hublot PalmaVela in April, when Roel Pieper’s Favonius (IVB) continued their winning form from the previous season despite close competition from Swan 82 Grey Goose (GER). Pieper’s Swan 80 took an impressive 1st place overall in PalmaVela’s Mini Maxi Cruiser/Racer Class with Grey Goose settling for a close 2nd position in the same Class. @Robas secured 3rd place points to contribute towards their Circuit results.

Continuing to the Giraglia Rolex Cup, the @Robas team registered their best result this year in St. Tropez when they celebrated an impressive overall win in IMA Mini Maxi Class C giving them their initial lead in the Swan Maxi Circuit.

Tallying a 3rd place result overall in the Swan fleet at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup confirmed @Robas’s win in the 2009 Swan Maxi Circuit. Meanwhile newcomer to the Circuit, Swan 90 DSK Pioneer Investments was top of the Swan scoreboard in Porto Cervo and with this win claimed 3rd position in the overall Swan Maxi Circuit scoreboard.

The Swan Maxi Class Circuit, developed for Swan yachts over 60 feet, is a competitive annual racing series made up of a selection of the most prestigious regattas in the Mediterranean. Celebrating its introduction in 2008, the initiative made its mark on the Mediterranean sailing scene in September 2008 when we saw the Class at its peak with a dramatic fleet of 36 Swan Maxis racing on the waters of Porto Cervo in the most prominent event in the Swan sailing calendar, the Rolex Swan Cup.

The Swan Maxi Class now looks forward to the 2010 season which will run in conjunction with the International Maxi Association and reach its pinnacle at the Rolex Swan Cup in September.

Overall Swan Maxi Circuit Results:
Pos - Boat Name – Owner – Model, Hublot PalmaVela, Giraglia Rolex Cup, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - Total Points

1 @ROBAS - Gerard Logel - Swan 601, 3, 1, 3 – 7pts
2 FAVONIUS - Roel Pieper - Swan 80, 1, 3, 5 – 9pts
3 DSK PIONEER INVESTMENTS - Danilo Salsi - Swan 90, 6, 3, 1 – 10pts
4 GREY GOOSE OF RORC - Tobias Koenig - Swan 82, 2, 3, 5 – 10pts
5 VALKYRIE - Will Apold - Swan 78, 6, 3, 2 – 11pts
6 ASTRO - Rainer Wilhelm - Swan 82, 4, 3, 5 – 12pts
7 VARSOVIE - Oda Limited - Swan 100, 6, 3, 4 – 13pts
8 PEAK - Pieter Houting - Swan 65, 6, 2, 5 – 13pts
9 RISKTAKER - Peter Jebsen - Swan 68, 5, 3, 5, - 13pts