It is not easy to go back to memories that have left a deep mark, even if they now seem distant. On 18 August at 08:00 my wife Gaela, our children and I were anchored off the enchanting west coast of Corsica, when a “derecho” literally hit us in our face. This is how this unprecedented meteorological phenomenon was baptized which rendered all the forecasting models useless and took everyone by surprise, with gusts above 100kn.

It was like looking a chimera in the eye, in only a few minutes, despite attempting to steer Mia at anchor with the engine running, we found ourselves on the beach … shaken, but safe and sound.

In a Corsica torn apart by events, without electricity, telephone or shelter for the night, we never lost heart, indeed we rediscovered each other’s strengths and resolve.  But what to do in that situation? The weather conditions continued to be adverse and we had our beloved Swan 48 “Mia” (ITA 314) to defend.

It so happens that a photograph of our plight was posted by one of my children, before the sudden cut in communications.  From there, word of mouth went straight to Nautor, immediately finding the sympathetic empathy of the top management and, I quickly understood that I was not alone with my family in that improbable undertaking, but instead I had an organization standing with me – mighty, capable and efficient who immediately gathered around us like a big family.

The support was immediate, within two days I had Carlos by my side, a splendid Nautor engineer who assessed and coordinated the procurement of spare parts (made available on site in record time).  In the meantime, shoulder-to-shoulder, we rescued, extracted, then repaired and brought Mia back “home” to Scarlino, all in a week.  The rest followed with the same spirit and commitment at the Swan shipyard in Scarlino, creating another wonder – the damage reported was small but widespread, all immediately diagnosed and promptly corrected by a super team that worked with great skill and without break!

And so on to the occasion of the Rolex Swan Cup, our participation was the culmination of a long-desired dream which vanished at various times, but thankfully became vivid again.

On that occasion we were surprised and delighted to be awarded the trophy for the “Spirit of Swan”, but we are only the representatives of the many who have put their heart, lungs and the same spirit into Nautor that has led us all to deserve this award.

Thanks and BRAVO to Nautor, in times of need, you realize who you can count on.

Luigi Stoppani