Volume 5: December 2023

INTERNATIONAL
TWELVE METRE
NEWS
A Message from ITMA President, Chris Winter

Greetings to all members, friends, and followers of the International 12 Metre Association!


This has proven to be a very successful year for the International 12 Metre Class!

 

The World Championship in Newport RI, USA saw repeat Champions in both contested divisions with great racing in near perfect conditions. The European Championship in Cannes saw the Grand Prix boats actively racing and Vintage boats from the Northern Europe fleet moving to the Med to race under a bright blue sky in ideal conditions.

 

The Class is quite active in getting boats back on the race course. Measurement of boats that have been updated and restored is an ongoing process. If anybody needs help with measurement or updating their status in the class, please contact the VP of your fleet listed on our website.

 

As 2023 comes to an end, it is time to thank all the great volunteers and sponsors that make the Class and events special! There are too many to thank individually, but the Class, the Worlds, the Europeans and all the other events organized for 12 Metres happen because of these enthusiastic supporters. THANK YOU!

 

Please take a look at the 2024 calendars in this newsletter. The Class has put together some great regattas for next year and we hope to see you all at some point. There are regional events scheduled and a great opportunity to meet at major events like the World Championship in Porquerolles France and the Puig Vela Classica Barcelona in Spain during the AC trials.


Contact Chris

Who Is ITMA and What Do We Do?

The 116 year-old International 12 Metre Class encompasses a living history of racing yacht design by the world’s foremost naval architects including Olin Stephens, Clinton Crane, William Fife III, Philip Rhodes, Johan Anker, Ben Lexcen and more who pushed their designs to the very limits of innovation. The resulting boats represented the pinnacle of yacht development from 1907-1987 for the highest levels of international sailing competition– the Olympic Games (1908-1920) and the America’s Cup (1958-1987).

12 METRE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2023 12mR World Championship was held in Newport, Rhode Island, USA from July 31 - August 5, 2023.


Congratulations to returning 2019 World Champions Columbia (US-16) and Challenge XII (KA-10) who successfully defended their titles in the Traditional and Modern Divisions respectively. Read the full story here.


Learn more & follow @12mRWorlds.com.

The 2024 12mR World Championship will be held in Porquerolles, France from June 16-23, 2024.


The re-energized Southern European 12mR fleet, working closely with 7 premier Yacht Clubs and Organizers throughout the Mediterranean, has created a spectacular series of regattas for 12mR yachts competing for the Coupe de France inlcluding the 2024 12mR Worlds.


2024 12mR Worlds Preview at the PORQUEROLLES CLASSIC

Expertly filmed by French yachting photographer Gilles Martin-Raget, the idyllic sailing conditions of the Cote d' Azur were on full display at the 20th edition of the Porquerolles Classic held at the Yacht Club de Porquerolles (Hyères, FRA) from June 8 – 11, 2023.

After sailing in the 2023 Porquerolles Classic,

Kiwi Magic (KZ-7) Owner, Johan Blach Petersen reported:

Porquerolles is beautiful Island 5 nm south of Hyeres; it is a little paradise known for the most sun hours in Cote D’Azur. The Marina is huge and offers plenty of space for a regatta fleet of 70 boats. The little city is charming with small restaurants around the central square. The race organizers were very good, everything worked out well including the social activities. It is a superb place for the 12mR Worlds in 2024, and we can highly recommend other 12mRs to come – you will love it! ~ JBP, KZ-7

ITMA is Comprised of 3 Regional Fleets Worldwide...
SOUTHERN EUROPE FLEET:

Sailing primarily in the Mediterranean, the Southern Europe fleet includes yachts in France, Italy, Turkey, and Portugal as well as encompassing Oceania.

The 55th Coupe de France had a successful start and the European 12mR fleet has raced 3 major events, at Cannes (9 boats), Saint Tropez (11 boats) and Hyères (7 boats). The sailing conditions were perfect and all crews had a lot of fun! Congratulations to European Champions: French Kiss (F-7) and Nyala (US-12), Voiles de Saint-Tropez Winners: Kiwi Magic (KZ-7) and Nyala (US-12) and Europa Cup Winners: French Kiss (F-7) and Vim (US-15).

TOULON PROVENCE Regatta: An Exceptional Maritime Event

by: Mathieu Dalaine

From 7 to 12 May 2024, the Toulon Provence Regatta will bring together approximately twenty 12mR Class yachts— an event that should be acclaimed by the general public.


Among them will be France (F-1), Jenetta (K-1), ThĂŠa (D-1) and European champion French Kiss (F-7). They measure between 19 and 22 meters, are as beautiful as they are effective for tacking, and each require about fifteen sailors to sail them. The oldest, Cintra, was built in 1909. They belong to the 12 Metre Class, yachts that raced in the biggest international competitions, from the Olympic Games (1908, 1912 and 1920) to the America's Cup (1958-1987).


An event within the event will capture the attention during this Toulon Provence Regatta, organized by the Yacht Club de France, the Marine Nautical Club and the International Twelve Metre Association, in collaboration with the Metropolis and the town hall. "These ships will support the passage of the Olympic flame on Friday 10 May ...read more

2024 SOUTHERN EUOPEAN FLEET SCHEDULE

May 6 - 8: Toulon Provence Regatta

May 27-30: 12mR Pre-Worlds at Saint-Tropez

June 6: Porquerolles Classic

June 16-24: 12mR World Championship

September 4-7: Puig Vela Classica Barcelona & 12mR Reunion, AC Ed.

September 23-28: Regates Royales de Cannes

September 29: Coupe d'Automne du Yacht Club de France

September 30- October 4: Voiles de Saint-Tropez

55th Coupe de France Race Series Standings

12 Metre Yachts Re-Unite in 2024 for the 17th Regata Puig Vela Classica, Barcelona!

From the 1st to the 10th of September 2024, our 12mRs will be stationed directly in front of the America's Cup village at the Real Club NĂ utico de Barcelona (RCNB).


This is a great opportunity to show the importance of the Class in America's Cup history! From the 4th-7th of September the Twelves will have the opportunity to sail on a race course close to the actual America’s Cup course! The NOR for this event should be available by the end of January 2024. Read more

AMERICAS FLEET:

Although centered in Newport, RI, the Americas fleet extends over two continents with yachts located in other U.S. states and the Caribbean.

2023 Season & Worlds Wrap-Up by

12MYC Commodore, Steve Eddleston


The America's 12mR Fleet had an extremely exciting 2023 by any measure with the World Championship held in Newport, Rhode Island being the first International 12mR Regatta in the US since 2019 and the significant challenges of Covid.

The event was sanctioned by ITMA, and hosted by the 12 Metre Yacht Club in partnership with Organizing Authority Ida Lewis Yacht Club (ILYC) and the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) as main venue and dockage provider. As part of the preparation for the event, our Modern, Traditional and Vintage division 12mRs participated in the 169th NYYC Annual Regatta, June 9-11 and the Sail Newport 12mR Regatta, July 8-9.

Ten 12mR yachts converged on Newport, Rhode Island from July 31st through August 5th for the 2023 12mR World Championship. The 12 Metre Yacht Club Newport Station was delighted to attract 16 sponsors to help make the event a great success. More than one hundred VIP guests watched the racing action aboard 3 gorgeous spectator yachts provided by Palm Beach Motor Yachts and 12MYC Commodore Steve Eddleston, Owner of the 1935 Trumpy yacht Enticer.


The event was blessed with very good weather on a daily basis with an excellent variety of sailing conditions, in the bay as well as outside. More than 350 attendees enjoyed the pre and post race events each day at IYRS and the Clarke Cooke House's 12MYC room.


The key takeaway from the event was how tightly competitive all the racing was with most finishes coming down to seconds and minutes across the two racing divisions across all the days, Moderns and Traditional/Vintage.

Clockwise from top left: World Champion Columbia; Freedom (blue hull) on the starting line; Columbia (starred spinnaker) in Traditional/Vintage fleet; World Champion Challenge XII; Onawa in action; Challenge XII celebrating. Photo Credits: Stephen Cloutier

12 Metre Parade: The event was beautifully rounded out by a spectacular boat Parade with 7 saluting stations featuring 12 yachts of our fleet, including Intrepid (US-22) and Heritage (US-23) who hosted prospective sailors from the Boys and Girls club of America.


Results: Divisional Championship winners recognized with trophies were Challenge XII (KZ-10), Jack LeFort, and Columbia (US-16), Kevin Hegerty/Anthony Chiurco, each of whom repeated their wins from 2019, which was amazing to witness. The Commodore of the 12 Metre Yacht Club - Newport Station, Steve Eddleston was also honored to receive the Ted Turner Trophy for the most significant contribution to the 12mR Class, and he subsequently presented the Tiedemann Trophy for best Vintage yacht to Onawa (US-6).


All in all, a most special and spectacular 2023 World's Championship by any measure. We look forward to many more such events here in Newport, and around the world in future years.


Thank You: Special thanks to our Race Committee, Ida Lewis Yacht Club and PRO Mark Foster for making the racing so competitive and well organized.

ďťż

~ 12MYC Commodore, Steve Eddleston, December 11, 2023

WATCH THE 2023 12mR WORLDS!

Check out the 2023 12mR Worlds playlist on our 12mR YouTube channel where you will find daily highlight reels from the entire regatta.

2024 AMERICAS FLEET SCHEDULE

June 14-16: NYYC 170th Annual Regatta

July 13-14: 40th Anniversary Newport Regatta

July 17-20: NYYC Race Week presented by Rolex

August 9-11: Edgartown YC 12 Metre Regatta

August 9-11: 4th Annual Safe Harbor Race Weekend

August 18: 52nd Annual Opera House Cup Regatta

August 23: Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta

September 12-15 (tent): 12mR North American Championship

NORTHERN EUROPE FLEET:

Most active in the Baltic Sea, the Northern Europe fleet includes Great Britain, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

In June, nine Vintage 12mRs raced at the Robbe & Berkig Sterling Cup with podium finishes for Magnus Holmberg sailing Northern Light (US-14), followed by Christoph Avenarius’ Nini Anker (N-15) and Patrick Howaldt’s Vim (US-15). At the Wessel & Vett Cup, six 12mRs raced—Thomas MĂźller’s Jenetta (K-1) prevailed followed by Christoph Avenarius’ Nini Anker (N-15) with Lars Høyer sailing Vanity V (K-5) and Robert de Haer sailing Thea (D-1), tied for third place overall.

Northern Light (US-14), 2023 Robbie & Berking Sterling Cup, courtesy: Haiko GrĂźterich

Later in the season a number of the fleet departed for the Med to participate in late season events and in preparation for the 2024 World Championship summer.


At the Annual General Meeting, S. European fleet Vice President Patrick Howaldt advised that he is looking forward to two additional 12mRs joining the Baltic fleet in the near future—Sverige (G-5) is now under new ownership and Princess Svanevit (S-2) has been newly restored and preparing for measurement and 12mR certification.

2024 NORTHERN EUOPEAN FLEET SCHEDULE

June 15 - 23: Classic Week at Keil


August 16 - 18: German Classic at Laboe


September 12 - 15: Flensburger Forde Woche

Race Report & Photos provided by: Johan Blach Petersen

The 2023 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez was a marvelous event with more than 200 yachts participating. The weather was excellent with clear sunny skies, 24-27 degrees with light to medium winds each day. The new layout with the event village on the outer pier, worked extremely well and gathered a crowd of spectators.


The 12mR community showed a strong representation with 10 boats; six Vintage and four Modern/GPs. After the 4 coastal races Nyala (US-12) skippered by Patricio Bertelli (ITA)... read more


2023 EUROPA CUP

ITMA's 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

ITMA’s 2023 Annual General Meeting of Members held by video-conference on October 28th was attended by 21 Regular (voting members), 3 Associate (non-voting members) and 1 Subscriber Member. After a welcome by ITMA President, Chris Winter, three regional fleet updates were provided by ITMA Vice Presidents including a look back at the 2023 World Championship at Newport and a look ahead to 2024 regattas including the 12mR World Championship at Porquerolles and Coupe de France Series. 


Chris Winter presented event options for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons with a discussion of timing and locations for future Regional and World Championships. 


Divisional Owners committees were formed; these will be led by volunteer representatives: Gran Prix: Johan Blach Petersen (KZ-7), Modern: Peter Askew (US-27), Traditional: Jeptha Tausig (US-21), and Vintage: Fredrik Malmberg (US-15).


Three Member Submissions were considered; the first proposed extending validity of Measurement Certificates (from 2 years to 4 years) was approved by the Membership without objection. ITMA By-Laws will reflect this change after notification / approval of World Sailing. Two other submissions were discussed-- one suggested leveraging ITMA brand assets to financially benefit the Class; the third considers alternative sail cloth fabrics.


Technical Committee, chair Ken McAlpine introduced new committee member—Bob Campbell. Among the Tech Comm’s ongoing projects / research: sail cloth, masts, First Rule “Desktop” Certification, Appendix E revision (+5 year horizon). Treasurer Dennis Gunderson presented 2023 expense budget and noted that Membership fees will not increase for 2024. 


Finally, the proposed slate of Officers for 2024—Chris Winter, President; Dennis Gunderson, Treasurer and SallyAnne Santos, Secretary were re-elected without objection.

Your Membership Supports the International 12mR Class

Did you know that ITMA is a not-for-profit organization run primarily by volunteers? Only our most basic operational expenses are covered by modest Membership fees.


12mR owners, if you have yet to do so, please click to join / renew for 2024.Attention 12mR crew and enthusiasts, we value your support too! Please consider joining ITMA as a 2024 Subscriber member.


Purchase of officially licensed 12mR gear for men, women and kids in our 12mR Team Store also supports the 12mR Class! Cllick through and start shopping for your customized apparel, outwes.erwear and accessori

ITMA Registrar's Update by Robert de Haer

Getting to Know You...


It was with great pleasure that I spent the 2023 season away from my 12mR internet sleuthing, instead getting out to meet owners and their representatives at European events. Happily, I was able to visit and sail on several 12mRs in the Med.


I hope that I was helpful in answering / forwarding ITMA questions and providing contact information for the relevant people within our community. I have also been in contact with quite a few professional photographers and journalists this year. Many more things to do in 2024 while looking forward to the Puig Vela Classica,12mR Reunion America's Cup Edition at Barcelona -- see you there!

International Twelve Metre Database:
Preserving the History of the 12mR Class

We are always working to update ITMA's online yacht database, a very daunting project tracking the history of 100+ yachts over 100+ years!


With boats undergoing changes in ownership, location and restoration its very difficult to keep up-- we need your help!


Please take a look for YOUR 12mR and alert us to any updates needed; together we will preserve the legacy of our historic Twelve Metre Class.


With information provided by Bernard Minvielle and Nicholas Brouet below; we have recently been able to update Davo III's ITMA db record.

On the Horizon: DAVO III (E-9)

Davo III (1911), one of just three 12mRs designed by renowned naval architect Max Oertz, had been off of ITMA's radar for a while. Up until recently, when she was spotted by ITMA Vice President Bernard Minvielle, who caught up with her current owner, Nicholas Brouet, during the Europa Cup in Hyeres, France last season.


Built at Max Oertz Yachtwerft in the Netherlands according to the 12mR First Rule, she was originally gaff-rigged. Passing through the hands of four owners over the last century her rig was transformed (to cutter and ketch) and her engine replaced on multiple occasions.


Nicolas reports that Davo III has been sheltered in the famous Chantier du Guip with the intention to be restored in her original configuration. A detailed survey has been conducted and the restoration should begin in 2024.


Previously listed in our 12mR database as Noordster III—her third name-- we have recently updated a new listing for Davo III – reflecting both her original and current name and owner.

Continue to Davo III (E-9) database record

MEET the ITMA Team
President: Chris Winter
Vice President, Southern Europe: Bernard Minvielle
Vice President, Northern Europe: Patrick Howaldt
Vice President, Americas: Steve Eddleston
Treasurer: Dennis Gunderson
Class Secretary & Communications Director: SallyAnne Santos
Technical Director: Ken McAlpine
Technical Committee: Bob Campbell, Kay-Enno Brink
Registrar: Robert de Haer
Did you miss any of our ITMA Team bios?
Now you can see them all on our new Meet The ITMA Team page.
In Case You Missed it:
Recent 12mR NEWS Posts
E-NEWS ARCHIVE
Discover the Magic: 12mRs for Sale

VANITY V (K-5)


This vintage beauty, designed by William Fife and built by Fairlie, ranks among the world-famous 12mR class yachts of the 1930S. Vanity V represents elegance as everyone who lays eyes on her would agree. Sailing her is a challenge and is rewarded with memorable experiences. The yacht has been restored meticulously and maintained by Robbe & Berking whilst preserving her original classic style..

Read more

LEGACY (KZ-5)


KZ-5 was the second in a development series of the three “Plastic Fantastics” (KZ-3, KZ-5, KZ-7) built by McMullen & Wing for the 1987 New Zealand Americas Cup Challenge in Perth, Western Australia. Well maintained and stored professionally, she was chartered by a Swedish Syndicate for the 2019 World Championships in Newport and claimed first place in the Grand Prix Division.

Read more

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