The Accenture Race Day, the penultimate day of the Swan Cup 2002, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, saw tight racing with Enrico Scerni’s Kora (ITA) emerging on top yesterday. The Italian Swan 80, with America’s Cup legend Paul Cayard calling the shots, took line honours and victory on corrected time from Roel Pieper’s Swan 80 Favonius. However, Pieper’s second place is enough to move the Dutch entry into first place in the Swan Cup 2002, on equal points with Leslie Green’s Swan 60 Sotto Voce One (AUS).

With a 12 knot breeze, the fleet were sent on a three-mile windward/leeward course. At the first mark Favonius held a 65-second lead over Kora, with Nautor’s Swan Chairman Leonardo Ferragamo’s Swan 82RS Solleone 37 seconds further back.

Halfway up the second beat, Favonius elected to take the left-hand side of the course, with Kora choosing the right. As the breeze swung to the right, Cayard’s move paid off and Kora crossed ahead to round the second windward mark 55 seconds in front.

The breeze continued to swing right, to 90 degrees of the course, turning the windward/leeward course into two reaching legs, with overtaking opportunities diminishing as the fickle wind died to five knots.

Results (after four races with no discard)

1. Favonius, Roel Pieper’s Swan 80 NED (18,5,9,2) – 34 points

2. Sotto Voce, Leslie Green Swan 60 AUS (16,6,2,10) – 34 points

3. Fast.net, T.Passemar Swan 70 FRA (23,2,6,4) – 35 points