SAYULA II / SWAN 65 - 003
52 years. One family. One legendary victory.
This is the story of Sayula II, the Nautor’s Swan 65 that won the first-ever Whitbread Round the World Race—told through the words of her owner, Enrique Carlin Larios.
Her journey began in 1973, when Nautor Swan founder, Pekka Koskenkylä, offered hull #3 to Enrique’s father, Ramón Carlin. The mission? To compete in the inaugural Whitbread Round the World Race. Choosing the newly extended 65-foot version proved pivotal, offering the strength, space, and seaworthiness needed to face one of sailing’s greatest challenges.
The outcome stunned the world: a first-place victory that made Sayula II an instant icon.
But her legend wasn’t just born in triumph—it was forged in the fury of the sea. In the Indian Ocean, a massive 12-meter wave knocked her down 140 degrees. Still, Sayula II endured, a testament to her extraordinary construction. More than five decades later, she continues to sail with her original masts.
She has remained in the Carlin family ever since—52 years of pride, purpose, and performance. As Enrique shares, she brings “incredible satisfaction in both competition and cruising.”
Today, Sayula II is not a museum piece, but a living legend. She sails the Mexican Pacific, training a new generation of sailors and championing ocean stewardship.
A story of family, resilience, and the deep connection between people and the sea.
Thank you, Enrique, for sharing your family’s remarkable journey with us.
This is the legacy of a Swan.