CLASS - Key Persons

Swan 60 Emma (GER) was launched in August 2009 by German, Dr Johann Killinger. A first time boat owner, the Hamburg businessman then campaigned with 18.20 meter Emma on the Mediterranean Circuit after a successful local debut winning the Baltic Sea Race. There are excellent systems onboard Emma, including the Magic-Trim mainsheet which allows the main to be dumped if a big bear away is required. And there are some very handy remote-control systems that make the boat easy to cruise short-handed with all of the winches electric. Swan 60 Emma is currently skippered by Thomas Jungblut. Jungblut is a four times Maxi World Champion who has completed the Rolex Fastnet Race seven times. He has an experienced team of European sailors whose skills have shone throughout all of their challenging races. Many of Emma's crew have also sailed together for over ten years, creating a unified and complimentary team. Peter Kohlhoff is a key team member; the mainsheet trimmer has sailed with Thomas Jungblut for 15 years, the two sailors have worked on many projects together throughout their sailing careers. Niels Hej is another key player of the Emma team; the Helmsman has also sailed with Jungblut for over 30 years, the two men met and began sailing together at the young age of 16. A number of Emma's crew raced in the first and second editions of the Nord Stream Race, racing with Team Germany onboard Swan 60 SGM, this led the team to winning the 2013 Nord Stream Race inshore trophy. Emma has also raced at highly regarded events throughout 2013 and 2012 including the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Mapfre Palma Vela Regatta, Copa Del Rey and the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo - winning the Swan Mediterranean Challenge Trophy two years running.

Henrik Jansen has put in an entry for this year's Rolex Swan Cup, racing Swan 60 Tsaar Peter. This marks another Danish addition to the Gazprom Swan 60 fleet. The team from Denmark are all keen Raskilde Yacht Club members, normally competing West of Copenhagen in a fjord. Henrik Jansen will be taking the helm this week with Hans Tonder Jensen by his side as tactician. Originally a Farr 40 owner and helm, Henrik Jansen took part in 3 editions of the World Championships. The Danish born sailor also has experience in the Dragon Class, match racing world and also at national level. Tactician, Hans is excited to be racing in the Gazprom Swan 60 Class, "this is for the majority of our crew the first time that they will have raced in the Mediterranean. We have a core contingent who race with Henrik and myself a lot and we are merging these sailors with a few new people at the Rolex Swan Cup. We aim to get better and better as the week goes on, we always sail for winning but this time round we want to focus on enjoying the experience". The Gazprom Swan 60 fleet visited Copenhagen to celebrate the centenary of the Danish Sailing Organisation which sparked an interest from Mr Jansen and the Rolex Swan Cup racing is the happy outcome.

Steve Cucchiaro from Boston, USA will be joining the Gazprom Swan 60 this week debuting at the Rolex Swan Cup. Mr Cucchiaro will be helming Swan 60 Petite Flamme after having recently sold his investment management company. An experienced racer from Marblehead, Mr Cucchiaro sails from Eastern Yacht Club as well as being a member of the New York Yacht Club. A double collegiate All American at MIT and Prince of Wales men's Match Racing Champion as well as a gold medal Pan-American Champion led to time in the US Olympic Team in the 470 Class. Mr Cucchiaro spoke about his interest in the Gazprom Swan 60 Class, "I always thought it would be fun to compete in the Rolex Swan Cup someday, Jack Slattery USA, highly recommended the Gazprom Swan 60 Class. We are totally new to this class and event but we have some good sailors and we will give it our best shot, she is beautiful to helm so we will have to see how we go". The Petite Flamme crew will include Jack Slattery, pro sailor as tactician and Carl Buchan an Olympic gold medallist will take on the strategist role. Mr Cucchiaro also has experience sailing a Swan 56 at St Bart's so is looking forward to broadening his Swan racing experience in the Mediterranean.