The Deutsche Bank Private Banking race day at the Swan World Cup in Sardinia produced an exciting coastal race yesterday with Roberto Ferrero’s Swan 48 Solenia II (ITA) beating a host of larger boats to take the overall victory for the day.

Theirry De Passemar’s Swan 70 Fast Net (GBR) took line honours and won Class A on corrected time, but took second place overall to Solenia II.

Ferrrero’s Swan 48 also holds the overall lead after two races of this prestigious regatta.

Former IMS world champion Lorenzo Bressani, helmsman on board Solenia II, outlined the key moments in their victory. “We had a very good start and as we are the fastest boat in Class B, we could stay in front of the fleet and keep clear air. The only moment when we had to make a big decision was sailing downwind from Monaci to Porto Cervo. We have been training here for two weeks and when the mistral wind comes down we know where it shifts as it becomes a tropical wind, so we sailed on the right and hugged the coast while most of the others stayed in the middle . The wind swung right which helped us.

However, the Italian explained that it will be hard to keep the leader’s position. “We’re very happy because we were not amongst the favourites before the event. The windward/ leewards will decide who is really the best, so it will make it hard to stay in front.”

A forecast of more than 40 knots ensured a delay in racing until 13.30, with a coastal course selected in preference to a windward/leeward race. The wind gods provided the fleet with a respite after the previous day’s conditions with a 10-12 knot north/north-westerly breeze and flat sea state. Thierry De Passemar was delighted with the way that his Swan 70, Fast.net performed. “We had a very good start and took some good options. We had optimum conditions, with interesting tactical decisions throughout the race. We were very focussed but it was fun. It’s the first time that we’ve raced the boat so we’re still learning about it,and just trying to do our best.”

Enrico Scerni’s Swan 80 Kora (ITA), sailing with America’s Cup and Whitbread legend Paul Cayard took second place in Class A with Roel Pieper’s Swan 80 Favonius (NED) in third.

Class B was again dominated by the Swan 56s, with Frank Savage’s Lolita (USA) gaining revenge on Sir Geoffery Mulcahy’s Noonmark VI. (GBR). However, it was Busch-Johannsen’s German Swan 56 Blue that took the honours on corrected time.

The British Swan 48 Jacobite, skippered by Ben James and Gabrielle Clarke, again dominated Class D with their second consecutive victory. Martin Jacobson’s Swan 44 Crescendo (USA) took second place with Guenter Sell’s Swan 47 Tortuga (GER) in third.

At the prizegiving, a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives on 11 September last year.

The Volvo Ocean Race Day is scheduled for this morning with the fleet emarking on a long coastal race in the region of 50-70 nautical miles. Nine of the cruising fleet will be sailing to Pervero Bay just off Porto Cervo.

Results (provisional)

1. Solenia 2 R.Ferrero, Swan 48, ITA 2. Fast.net T.Passemar, Swan 70, GBR 3. Kora E.Scerni, Swan 80, ITA 4. Blue D. Busch-Johannsen, Swan 56, GER 5. Favonius R.Pieper, Swan 80, NED

Overall (after two Races)

1. Solenia 2 R. Ferrero, Swan 48, ITA (7,1) 8 points

2 equal Noonmark Sir G.Mulcahy, Swan 56, GBR (1,9) 10 points

2 equal Lolita F.Savage, Swan 56, USA (2,8) 10 points

Class A

1. Fast.Net T.Passemar, Swan 70, GBR

2. Kora E.Scerni, Swan 80, ITA

3. Favonius R.Pieper, Swan 80, NED

Class B

1. Blue D. Johannsen, Swan 56, GER

2. Lolita F.Savage, Swan 56, USA

3. Noonmark Sir G.Mulcahy, Swan 56, GBR

Class C

1. Solenia2 R.Ferrero, Swan 48, ITA

2. Trumpeter L.Triay, Swan 46 GBR

3. Lumikki J.Kullas, Swan 48, FIN

Class D

1. Jacobite G.Clarke/B.James, Swan 48, GBR

2. Crescendo M.Jacobson, Swan 44, USA

3. Tortuga G.Sell, Swan 47, GER