ClubSwan

On Pensacola Bay, a growing fleet of ClubSwan 28s delivered the first official chapter of a renewed ClubSwan presence in the United States. What began in Miami has now become a platform in motion, establishing a new reference point for refined owner-driver one-design racing.

George Gamble’s My Sharona claimed the inaugural title on home waters, prevailing in a regatta defined not by dominance, but by closeness across the fleet.

The Spirit

The defining characteristic of the week was the closeness of the racing: No single team controlled the event. Multiple race winners. Constant lead changes. Every mark rounding carried congestion and consequence.

The penultimate day concluded with just one point separating the top three teams. Going into the final race, Play Bigger (Al Ramadan) and My Sharona (George Gamble) were tied for the lead with 13 points. Just behind with 15 points, Extreme2 (Dan Cheresh) and Bacio (Michael Kiss) sat within striking distance. In the end, Gamble’s My Sharona secured the overall victory, followed by Play Bigger, with Extreme2 completing the podium.

For a fleet in its first sanctioned U.S. regatta, the level is already established. New owners entered and were immediately competitive. Sailmakers were embedded and engaged. Daily debriefs, including fleet-wide drone analysis sessions led by Quantum Sails’ Brett Jones, accelerated collective learning.

On shore, a distinct culture is already forming. Owners are walking the docks to swap stories and create shared memories. More than one owner has exclaimed excitement about the culture of openness: “There are no secrets right now,” said George Gamble. “Everyone goes boat to boat, sharing, asking questions. That’s how the class grows.”

The Sea

Pensacola delivered a full range of conditions unfolded across the event, building in intensity each day and culminating in a final Sunday that felt purpose-built for the class: 15-20 knots, flat water, and full planing conditions under clear skies. “It doesn’t get much better,” said Gamble. “Flat water, 15 knots of breeze. Great fun on the boats.”

Racing was conducted alongside the GL52 fleet under Principal Race Officer Carol Ewing.

Off the water, the setting proved equally strong. With expansive dock space and a steady stream of spectators at Palafox Marina, combined with warm hospitality from Jaco’s Restaurant, Pensacola established itself as a natural setting for top competition.

The week concluded with an Owners’ Dinner, bringing every team together in a setting that reflected the balance of competition and camaraderie at the core of ClubSwan.

The Sailor

Across the fleet, the sentiment was consistent: the racing is real, and the experience is distinctly Swan in both performance and experience.

The Swan

Behind the new fleet is a deeply experienced organization with long-standing heritage and a renewed intent.

Designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, the ClubSwan 28 blends simplicity, quality, and one-design performance into a platform that is both accessible and deeply technical.

Named 2025 Boat of the Year by Sailing World, the 28 has already proven itself across Europe. In the United States, it now serves as a natural point of entry into the broader Swan world.