Charisma leads Rolex Swan 45 World Championships

[Source: Rolex Swan 45 World Championships] Excellent conditions again today at the Rolex Swan 45 World Championships, underway in Cala Galera (Argentario), organised by the Yacht Club Italiano and the Circolo Nautico e della Vela dell'Argentario in partnership with Rolex.

Dutch team Charisma were the ones to watch today. Helmed by owner Nico Poons, with the advice of tactician Ray Davies (Team New Zealand), the team won two of the three races today on the Gulf of Argentario.

The President of the Race Committee, Claudio Tosi, started the first race of the day at 1300 with 4-5 knots of wind from the south-east. Charisma had a clear start and immediately took control of the race course. They were followed closely by the English team onboard Fever, co-owned by Grant Gordon and Klaus Diederichs. The two teams left the rest of the fleet in their wake to finish first and second respectively, while No Limits (NED), owned and helmed by RW Bol was third.

The second race got off at 1450, with Charisma out in front from the outset. The Dutch team swiftly crossed the Italians onboard Swanted (helmed by owner Stefano Piccolo, tactician Tommaso Chieffi) at the start, followed by Tony Buckingham's Wisc (GBR) and the Japanese team onboard Yasha.

With slightly more breeze, the Race Committee decided to get another race in for the 17 teams. Charisma had an excellent start with the Italians onboard Atlantica Racing and No Limits (NED) in close pursuit. At the end of the day, Carlo Perrone's team from the Yacht Club Italiano maintains their lead among the Italians competing in the championships.

Provisional Results (after six races)
1. Charisma Nico Poons (NED)
2. Earlybird Christian Nagel (GER)
3. No Limits RW Bol (NED)
4. Fever Grant Gordon & Klaus Diederichs (GBR)
5. Atlantica Racing Carlo Perrone (ITA)

The Rolex Swan 45 World Championship continues tomorrow with the third day of racing. A coastal race is planned which will take the fleet around either the island of Giannutri or Giglio. The Race Committee based on the weather conditions.