Swan Lake Garda Challenge concludes in Riva del Garda
by ClubSwan Racing 26 Jul 18:09 BST
July 23-26, 2025
The curtain falls on the first edition of the Swan Lake Garda Challenge, the third leg of the ClubSwan Racing's Nations League and the first ever held on a lake.
From July 23 to 26, the event brought the excitement of racing exclusively in the ClubSwan 28 class to the waters of Lake Garda.
After four days marked by unstable weather and passing thunderstorms, the fleet nonetheless completed eight races, thanks to variable but sailable conditions that truly tested the tactical and technical skills of the teams. On the first day, racing took place in a northerly breeze decreasing to 13 knots, with one race in a southerly wind. The second day offered more stable conditions, starting at 15-16 knots and dropping to 6-7 knots by the final race. Today, Saturday, Garda delivered two final races with initially light winds, then building to 12-14 knots to close out the program.
Five different winners in the first five races confirmed the balance and competitiveness of this young class, which already offers thrilling racing and plenty of variety in the leaderboard. The eventual winner was the French team Marcello, owned by Philippe Ligot, who showed consistent performance, never finishing worse than fourth. Taking second overall were the Swiss team Anya Race, owned by Giulio Gatti, who claimed both victories today. In third place, just one point behind, was a familiar name in the Nations League: Hatari, owned by Marcus Brennecke.
"Crazy stuff today, we missed both starts, a big mistake. But as a team, we always want to improve and find ways to go fast. On a lake, that's essential, it's not about pointing high, but about going fast. The work onboard was amazing, and the boat is fantastic! We're happy to have taken the win, because we know how tough it is. I'm also very happy that Giulio (Gatti, owner of Anya Race) is on the podium with us. We worked a lot and trained together, so seeing him finish second is great. Riva del Garda is just fantastic, even when you're not out sailing", said Philippe Ligot, owner of Marcello, just before the prize-giving.
Off the water, the event's success also came from the ClubSwan Racing Lounge, the heart of the regatta village, which brought together sport and social moments. It was a lively hub for the teams and a draw for the many tourists passing through Riva del Garda.
A highlight ashore was the owners' dinner held at the historic Villa De Lutti, a special occasion to celebrate the ClubSwan 28 class in a refined and convivial setting. During the evening, Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Swan, took the floor: "I want to personally thank the owners of the class, those who first believed in the 28-foot project and made its growth possible. It is also a pleasure to announce that the ClubSwan 28 is set to arrive in the United States, a major milestone in our international expansion strategy. And finally, I'm delighted to welcome DENZA, premium brand of BYD group, as the new automotive partner of the Nations League. We are honored to have them with us for what promises to be an exciting journey."
"We are truly happy to have brought the ClubSwan 28 to Lake Garda for the first time, in such a unique setting as Riva. It has been an intense event, with challenging weather at times, but the response from owners and the quality of the racing once again confirmed the strength and potential of this class. A special thanks goes to Fraglia Vela Riva for their impeccable organization and warm hospitality, and to its President, Andrea Camin, for the support shown from the very beginning. We conclude this event with great enthusiasm, aware that we've added a beautiful new chapter to the story of the Nations League," said Luisa Bambozzi, Managing Director of ClubSwan Racing.
The Swan Lake Garda Challenge brought together 8 teams from 7 nations, with over 40 sailors from 10 countries, marking another step forward in the development of the ClubSwan 28 class, from 5 boats in Bonifacio, 7 in Porto Cervo, and now 8 in Riva, ahead of its first transatlantic campaigns. The next event will take place in Scarlino, Tuscany, with the Swan Tuscany Challenge / Swan One Design Europeans, from 16 to 20 September.