Earlybird, G Spot and Anya Race win the Swan Tuscany Challenge in Scarlino
by ClubSwan Racing 20 Sep 2025 21:43 BST
16-20 September 2025
The sun-soaked waters of Marina di Scarlino delivered another unforgettable chapter in the 2025 ClubSwan Racing season as the Swan Tuscany Challenge came to a close.
With light and consistent northwesterly sea breezes throughout the week, sailors were treated to near-perfect racing conditions in the heart of Tuscany, and the final results in all three classes came down tot the wire.
Twenty-five boats representing 12 nations and over 300 sailors from 25 countries competed across the ClubSwan 50, ClubSwan 36, and ClubSwan 28 one-design classes, with Scarlino marking the fifth act of the season following events in Bonifacio, Porto Cervo, Riva del Garda and Palma.
Giovanni Pomati, Nautor Swan CEO: "We've returned to Scarlino, one of the true Houses of Swan, and I was pleased to see an exceptional lineup: our established classes alongside a growing ClubSwan 28 fleet. There are new teams joining, as well as renowned America's Cup sailors like Terry Hutchinson, Checco Bruni, and Vasco Vascotto. It was also wonderful to see that three owners who couldn't attend personally entrusted their yachts to their sons, a clear sign of strong engagement and a sense of continuity within our community."
ClubSwan 50: Earlybird flies to the top
Earlybird, helmed by Frederick Brandis with Checco Bruni on tactics, delivered an outstanding performance in the final stages to secure the win in the ClubSwan 50 division. The team showed consistency and calm under pressure throughout the week, finishing with 21 points ahead of rival Hatari (Marcus Brennecke/Terry Hutchinson) and Olymp (Louis Bezner/Jochen Shuemann).
"Thank you to the team, everything worked well, we worked hard, it was tough. But in the end, consistency pays off," said Brandis. "Everyone who was new played a super cool role and helped us a lot. My father now has to look for another boat so I can match-race him and tell him he'll lose!"
Bruni, on his debut with Earlybird, was full of praise for the class: "I'm super happy with Earlybird. It was my first experience in the ClubSwan 50 and I really enjoyed it. Great boat, great owner, great people. Fantastic week".
Hatari fought until the final day to close the gap. "We had three new guys onboard and had to find our rhythm as a team, which we did. The communication was excellent, lots of energy with Terry, and we're happy with the silver," said owner Marcus Brennecke. "Of course, we were pushing hard, and today we both gotpre-start penalties, so it became about protecting second".
Tactician TerryHutchinson added: "This is incredibly tight, tactical, hand-to-handracing - not unlike the 52s, but with smaller margins. The quality of sailinghere is top-notch."
ClubSwan 36: G Spot snatches victory in final stretch
The ClubSwan 36 division saw a thrilling battle all week between GSpot (MON), Fra Martina - Denza (ITA), and C-Lion (NED). Inthe end, Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G Spot took the win with a dayto spare, he's followed by Fra Martina - Denza. This event also marked another milestone in the growth of the ClubSwan Academy, as Dutch team C-Lions bowed impressive progress and secured third place overall with 21 points.
"It was fantastic to win again after a long time that we couldn't and we didn't want, of course", joked Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio. "We enjoyed every minute, thank you for the organization of such agreat event, it was super. This location is very close to our home base, in Porto Ercole, and let me tell you, ClubSwan Racing is always the top of the top, thank you!!"
ClubSwan 28: Anya Race dominates in Scarlino debut
The ClubSwan 28 class continues to build momentum, and in Scarlino, it was Anya Race (SUI), helmed by Giulio Gatti, who stole the show. The team posted an impressive series of podium finishes, including five wins out of eight races, to claim the win ahead of Play Bigger (USA) and Marcello (FRA).
"We finally got to win one event, the administration did pretty well, with the President and Vice President of the ClubSwan 28 on the podium", said Giulio Gatti.
"It's pretty super good here in Scarlino, the organizers did amazing in this regatta. Thelocation is fantastic and out team did really well", commented Al Ramadan, ownerof Play Bigger.
Beyond the racing
The Swan Tuscany Challenge wasn't just about sailing, it offered a full program of social experiences and Mediterranean hospitality. From the Opening Ceremony,to the exclusive Owners' Dinner and Crew Party, the atmosphere at Marina di Scarlino was second to none.
Throughout the week, the ClubSwan Lounge served as the heart of the regatta village, and guests had the chance to experience the DENZA Z9GT, the premium electric flagship on display, a symbol of the synergy between high-end mobility and nautical elegance.
"T to having joined recently the ClubSwan Racing and Nation League it is a real pleasure. It's a big honor to be here in Scarlino and be part of this wonderful world, because we have common values, like passion, elegance, and technology", said Maria Elena Lovato, SeniorEvents & Partnerships specialist.
"We are proud to be in the seventh year of our partnership with Swan Nations League. This enduring collaboration reflects our shared values ofexcellence, integrity, and long-term vision. At Banor, we are dedicated toproviding independent wealth and asset management tailored to the most sophisticated clients, and it is a pleasure to support a community like ClubSwan that embodies the same pursuit of quality and performance. We look forward to continuing this journey together", added Giacomo Mergoni, CEO& partner, Banor Capital.
Looking ahead
As the fleet wraps up a thrilling week in Tuscany, attention now turns to the final event ofthe 2025 season in St. Tropez, where season champions will be crowned in what promises to be a spectacular conclusion to The Nations League. On this special occasion, the One Design fleet will join the Rating fleet, uniting the entire Swan community for a true celebration of the ClubSwan spirit, bringing together performance, passion, and camaraderie on and off The water.