UK PRE-QUALIFIER IGNITES WINDSOR – NEWCOMERS, RECORDS, AND UNEXPECTED FUTURE SPONSORS

Windsor witnessed the first CSWC by OLIVA UK Pre-Qualifier of the 2025 season at the elegant Havana House on Thursday, May 8th—and what a start it was!

The CSWC racing squad in Windsor, Havana House – calm, focused, and ready at the starting line for the excitement and fun of slowest race on earth.

The CSWC Oliva beauties – lined up with precision, awaiting the flame that will ignite the battle for time and glory.

With a full house and even two last-minute arrivals inspired by a single social media post (“I saw this and thought it looked crazy interesting—I had to see what it was about!”), the evening quickly turned electric. Two intrigued gentlemen in the lounge, spotting the CSWC logos on our judges' shirts, took a dive into the world of slow smoking right on the spot—one now exploring sponsorship of the UK British Open, and the other, a cigar lover from New Jersey, preparing to join the CSWC movement across the Atlantic in the USA.

That’s the power of CSWC by OLIVA—wherever it appears, the cigar world becomes one family.

Two legendary judges, Sarah and David – true CSWC ambassadors, once again ready to ignite excitement and deliver unforgettable CSWC experience to cigar aficionados

Judges Sarah Saunders and David Taylor proudly debuted the new official CSWC Judge shirts, adding extra flair to the occasion. And the competition? It had everything: surprises, strong performances, emotional twists, and unforgettable moments.

And just like that... the race begins! Time slows, tension rises, and every puff counts.

One of the beloved CSWC personalities – Paresh Patel in deep focus, mastering the art of slow smoking.

Among the first-timers was Kate, the only woman of the evening—and impressively, a first-time smoker. She captured 6th place like a seasoned pro. Meanwhile, John, a sceptic at first, ended up beating veteran Paresh Patel thanks to a cool-headed 56:09 finish (and a 5-point penalty for Paresh’s unfortunate ash drop). Now John’s talking about launching CSWC Scotland—just like that.

There were also tough breaks: Alexander, last to arrive, was also the first to exit, and long-time CSWC friend Ash, despite a challenging journey, couldn’t find his rhythm this time. A reminder that CSWC is not just about skill—it’s about being in the right state of mind.

And yes – that’s him, the legend. Etan Patel, one of the best in the world, takes the win and makes history by leading the Top 20 list for the first time ever. The UK stands at the top for the first time

The top ranks were packed with familiar faces. Etan Patel claimed the win with a precise self-call just before the band at 2 hours, 30 minutes, 38 seconds. Vinny Bulsaro followed with 1:51:47, and Johnnie, a beloved supporter, exploded with joy—crushing his personal best by over an hour, clocking in at 1:21:49. His secret weapon? The new CSWC Oliva cigar, now officially his favorite.

The best trio of the Havana House pre-qualifier

Big thanks to Havana House Windsor for hosting, and to every competitor whose passion, dedication, and spirit brought this pre-qualifier to life.

Onward to the next battle!

CHECK TOP 20 OF THE SEASON 2025