The exclusive, five-day event is the pinnacle for Swan yacht owners, and this year saw a significant shift with the departure of longtime CEO Leonardo Ferragamo.
Known as one of the most prestigious gatherings for sailors, the Rolex Swan Cup is held every two years at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, located on Sardinia’s northern coast, an area famous for its Mistral winds.
More than 100 owners worldwide converge to compete, vying for two coveted prizes: a Rolex watch and, equally important, the pride of victory.
This year’s edition, the 22nd of its kind, concluded with 101 yachts participating. However, it stood out from previous years due to a pivotal moment in the brand’s history—Leonardo Ferragamo, president of Nautor Swan, announced his retirement after 36 years with the company. His departure marks the end of an era for Nautor Swan, which he led with vision and innovation since acquiring it in 1988.
The Swan Cup is part of a series of events exclusive to Nautor Swan yacht owners. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s marina becomes a sea of Swan yachts, each adorned with the brand’s iconic arrow emblem on their hulls. Green Rolex flags flutter atop their masts, and the sight of Swans with their billowing black sails racing across Sardinia’s crystalline waters often steals the spotlight from even the largest superyachts in the region.
Founded in 1969, Nautor Swan has been synonymous with high-performance, luxurious sailboats. The brand became legendary when the Swan 65 Sayula II won the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973/74. Over the last five decades, the company has had only three yacht designers, all titans in the sailing industry: Sparkman & Stephens, responsible for the brand’s first 1,000 hulls; Ron Holland, who designed three models; and German Frers, who has shaped Swan’s yachts for the last 40 years.
Leonardo Ferragamo, part of the famed Italian fashion dynasty, took over Nautor Swan in 1988 and transformed the company into a global leader in luxury cruising and racing yachts. His leadership saw the expansion of the Swan fleet, which now ranges from fully custom yachts like the 131-foot Custom Maxi to the recent Nautor 28.
Ferragamo’s tenure also enhanced the brand’s reputation for blending luxury with cutting-edge technology, culminating in the launch of the company’s first hybrid yacht earlier this year. In 2023, Ferragamo sold the company to Sanlorenzo Yachts and announced his retirement.
The Rolex Swan Cup is an invitation-only event, drawing over 700 sailors and hundreds of family members and race sponsors. The marina buzzes with activity each morning as crews prepare their high-tech yachts, securing sails and loading equipment.
Teams are easily identifiable in matching UV-protective shirts, often in striking colors like ocean blue or bright yellow. Meanwhile, local sailors look on from their decks, sipping espresso and enjoying fresh pastries as they observe the flurry of preparations.
Competition at the Swan Cup is fierce. The races feature staggered starts to ensure smooth transitions through the course for the various types of yachts. One-design yachts, in particular, engage in close, aggressive battles for position, with captains and crews vying for every possible advantage. While skill and strategy are essential, sometimes all it takes is the right gust of wind to decide the outcome between first and second place.
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