Tuesday 9th, first race day

Twenty-one nations started the regatta at the 2014 Rolex Swan Cup: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, BVI, Cayman Islands, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Malta, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the USA.so it is a time to meet up with old friends and get to know many new ones.

Leonardo Ferragamo, Chairman of Nautor's Swan, never misses the Rolex Swan Cup: "This event truly embodies the spirit of Swan and it is the perfect showcase of what this iconic brand stands for – excellence, passion, prestige. The Rolex Swan Cup is the top event for us and the benchmark for all other Swan regattas worldwide. Nautor's Swan offers a vast racing programme, and it is the brand that boasts the highest number of events dedicated to its owners. In Porto Cervo we are expecting a fantastic fleet of Swans, a great gathering of owners from the ClubSwan family, and of course a notable line-up of top level sailors, from seasoned America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race veterans to young upcoming talents."

Most of the Swan owners who compete in the Rolex Swan Cup are already planning their winter season, which this year will include the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda (BVI). Combining perfect sailing conditions with a full social programme, the second edition of this event will take place from 3-7 March 2015.So get in touch!

Friends and enemies !  Valerio and Nicola at one of the crew parties

Kit on and ready 

Rolex Swan Cup - tough life

A perfect place to start.........relaxation before the regatta

The crews quarters

View to the port from the terrace

The pool

For an idea of the week's weather forecast you can check . The winds look light so some skilful navigation to going to be essential.

Looking forward to the seeing all the team who will arrive between today and tomorrow.

Lots of wind this week

Luckily the sun has been shining but it has gusted up to 35 knots which has been a challenge -especially when eating spaghetti outside..... it seems to empty the wines glasses faster too!

enjoy a few photos -favourite spot so far for our intrepid friends -Isola Piana -well duh!

Of course when it was really blustery there wasn't an iphone in sight -so nothing to show for our trouble -except a pit stop in Portisco to get help from the sail repair shop!!

Preparing the table for supper at Porto Taverna

The view overlooking Isola Tavolara 

Lavezzi

Isola Piana/Lavezzi  Magic

Driving into Bonifacio , Corsica.....and turning round smartish -not a welcoming place.

A drink in Porto Vecchio, Corsica

Bright lights ...... small city! P.Vecchio

PLeaving Portisco

Last 24 hours of the Antigua to Viareggio transatlantic trip

Milanto is nearly at Elba on her way to Viareggio for the big party.

"Save The Nerd" is reaching Viareggio: come and welcome the crew!

11 June at 17:30 in UTC+02

Porto Nuovo, Viale Europa, 1, 55049 Viareggio

You were invited by Selvaggia Mannelli

You can update Milanto's position via the live map on marinetraffic.com/en 

The famous sailing school at Caprera -not a dry eye!

All the young students came out to greet Milanto and lowered their sails as a sign of respect ! Luckily the blue ensign was up in time. Valerio and Lorenzo were stunned by the welcome and at 7pm  there will be a small celebration and a conference  for Save the Nerd. This is THE sailing school to send your kids to.

Check out the stunning website:

http://centrovelicocaprera.it/en/  

https://www.youtube.com/user/CentroVelicoCaprera

Centro Velico Caprera (CVC) is one of the oldest Italian sailing schools and also one of the largest of the Mediterranean sea. Since its foundation in 1967 it has been attended by over 100,000 students. The legal head office is located at La Maddalena and the base of operations is situated on the island of Caprera, on the Maddalena archipelago. CVC is a non-profit organisation and a member of the ISSA (International Sailing School Association).