Dr. Johann Killinger, Chairman of Buss Group, who joined Team Germany, sponsored by Stroygazmontazh, during their victory in yesterday’s Nord Stream Race Match Racing Regatta, has committed to the growth of the new Swan 60 racing class. After initially building his first Swan 60, Emma, with Nautor’s Swan during 2009, Dr Killinger always had an aim of assisting in the establishment of a Class for the Swan 60 owners.
The Nord Stream Race has been a real catalyst in creation of the Gazprom Swan 60 Class and to celebrate its birth Dr Killinger commissioned the ‘Nord Stream Race Inshore Trophy’ which was presented to the Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg, Russia, by the Buss Group and Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV). Designed by, Asprey, the silver platter is styled to hold the names of winners for 50 years of this annual regatta.
Ironically in its inaugural year of presentation, the Nord Stream Inshore Trophy was won by Johann Killinger’s fellow team mates on board Swan 60, Emma. Dr Killinger did not foresee a German national win for 2012 and was in high spirits at the prize giving, awarding this unique piece of silverware to his crew.
“I purposely asked for a large trophy in order that eventually Team Germany could get their name on it, but it is great that we won the first race and put our mark on the trophy.”
Originally the Swan 60 owners’ sailing was that of cruising with his family and this has diversified into racing more recently due to a competitive German crew in place and an international push for a strong Swan 60 racing class across a number of worldwide events.
“I hoped we would develop a one design class, but did not envisage it would be this quick. It is very exciting to be here in the middle of the Nord Stream Race with five Swan 60s moored outside. I find it much more interesting to race against the same boats than racing against the clock.”
Dr Killinger’s passion for Nautor’s Swan’s 60 model was the inspiration for Vladimir Liubomirov, Skipper for Team Russia and also Commodore of the Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg, to build this one design class.
“Vladimir Liubomirov asked me to show him round my Swan 60, Vladimir knew how to sail but certain aspects of the Swan 60 you have to experience personally. He listened and learnt quicker that I would have ideally liked! But thanks to his enthusiasm for the Swan 60 we have been able to put this Nord Stream Race together as the Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg, Russia, is the official organising authority to the race.”
The new Swan 60 Class is primed to grow with a packed calendar of events already confirmed for 2013 and this will be a sustained programme of activity for the long term benefit of the global yacht racing community.
Leg Two of the Nord Stream Race starts tomorrow, October 22nd racing from Helsinki, Finland to Gotland, Sweden.