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Rolex Swan Cup entries keep rising
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The 23rd Rolex Swan Cup, which will be held in Porto Cervo from September 14-19, looks set to feature at least 160 yachts in a record fleet.
Nautor Swan has announced that it has received at least 160 entries for this year’s momentous Rolex Swan Cup, which will celebrate the Finnish shipyard’s 60th anniversary since it was founded by Pekka Koskenkyla in 1966.
The shipyard also revealed that entries continue to arrive with over a month to go until the event – hosted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda since 1980 – is held in the familiar waters of Porto Cervo from September 14-19, 2026.
Entries include the first two units of the current flagship Swan 128. Hull one, Be Cool, launched last year and debuted at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show, while a hybrid version named Raijin splashed this April and is set to appear at this year’s Monaco event (September 23-26) after the Rolex Swan Cup.
However, the newest model in the fleet will be the first Swan 80, Elvi, which launched in June and will have its world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival (September 8-13) before heading to Sardinia for the Rolex Swan Cup.
The fleet’s first entry was Nautor Swan’s first-ever boat, the Swan 36 Tarantella launched in early 1967, which has recently been restored and is acting as a brand ambassador as the shipyard celebrates its momentous anniversary.
Intriguing comparisons include hulls from the new Swan 51 model designed by German Frers that debuted in 2025 and the likes of Formosa, from the original Swan 51 series by Frers that launched in 1981.
The 2026 fleet will be divided into four racing classes. ClubSwan Legacy is designed for classic yachts including designs by Sparkman & Stephens (such as Tarantella), Ron Holland and Frers, who began designing for Swan in 1980.
ClubSwan Spirit comprises modern models and is split into Swan and Maxi classes, with owners having the choice to race with or without optimisation. ClubSwan Racing is for the shipyard’s one-design models including the ClubSwan 50, 43, 42, 36 and 28.
After the first 160 entries, the fleet was well balanced, with 33 Legacy yachts, 44 Swan yachts, 40 Maxis and 43 Racing boats.
Gianguido Girotti, Nautor Swan’s CEO, said: “No other shipyard creates so many opportunities for owners to come together, sail, learn and share experiences throughout the year. Our regattas are far more than competitions. They are occasions to build lasting friendships, exchange knowledge and celebrate the pure joy of sailing.”
