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INTERNATIONAL
TWELVE METRE
NEWS
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A Message from ITMA President, Chris Winter |
Hello to all members, friends, and followers of the International 12 Metre Association!
These are very exciting times to be involved in International Twelve Metre Class sailing with the upcoming World Championship in Newport during late July and early August 2023. This should offer great visibility to the Class with the summer crowd and activities in full swing and 12mRs out on the water and at the docks for all to see. Racing 12mRs in Newport is about as spectacular as this Class gets!
Very exciting racing will take place in Europe as well. There is a series of events in the Baltic early in the season before some boats are shipped to France for the European Championship. The Europeans will be held during the Régates Royale in late September. Cannes will offer the opportunity for boats from all three fleets to participate in one of the world's most exciting events. Racing will then continue at St. Tropez and finally end up in Hyères, France in October with a Europa Cup.
The Yacht Club de France is running the 55th edition of the Coupe de France which will include events in the Americas, Northern European, and Southern European fleets. Points will be awarded at designated 2023 regattas toward the overall Coupe to be awarded in 2024! What a great way to tie the 3 fleets together! The exact events will be finalized by the end of March and the Notice of Series will be amended accordingly.
If there are owners of boats that might be available for charter during these events, please contact your fleet Vice President with information. Let’s maximize the number of active 12mRs on the water and show we truly are an International Class act.
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Who Is ITMA and What Do We Do? |
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The 112 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).
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ITMA is Comprised of 3 Regional Fleets Worldwide... |
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Although centered in Newport, RI, the Americas fleet extends over two continents with yachts located in other U.S. states and the Caribbean. |
Leading up to the 2023 Worlds, the fleet will be busy racing a full schedule of regattas and practices out of Newport, including two class-sanctioned regattas, the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta, June 9-11 and the Sail Newport Regatta, July 7-9 (serving as the 12 Metre Pre-Worlds). The fleet will be divided into five divisions — Grand Prix, Modern, Traditional, Vintage, and “Spirit of Tradition”— and have healthy representation in each.
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2023 REGATTAS
June 9 - 11:
July 7 - 9:
July 31 - August 5:
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2023 & 2024 12mR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS |
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Returning 2019 World Champions Columbia (US-16) and Challenge XII (KA-10) will defend their titles in the Traditional and Modern Divisions respectively. Other teams expected are: America II (US-42), America II (US-46), American Eagle (US-21), Courageous (US-26), Defender (US-33), Enterprise (US-27), Freedom (US-30), Intrepid (US-22), Nefertiti (US-19), Onawa (US-6), and Weatherly (US-17).
The International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) will host a base camp with dockage for the competing 12mRs at their waterfront campus on Thames Street.
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The 2024 12mR World Championship will be held in Porquerolles, France from June 16-23, 2024.
The re-energized Southern European 12mR fleet has been working closely with 7 premier Yacht Clubs and Organizers throughout the Mediterranean to create an exciting 2-season regatta calendar. These events, highlighted by the 2024 12mR World Championship at Porquerolles, will be scored toward the Coupe de France.
“Le Task Force Med 24” is coordinating all racing and logistics for the ambitious 2024 event schedule; their work to date is contained within the 2023-24 12mR Logistics Guide for Owners.
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Sailing primarily in the Mediterranean, the Southern Europe fleet includes yachts in France, Italy, Turkey, and Portugal as well as encompassing Oceania. |
Twenty-four 12mRs in the region have now been identified, contacted and are receiving regular updates on activities of the re-activated S. European fleet! Together with the Yacht Club de France, an initiative to provide training and experience for would-be 12mR sailors will be realized by the new "YCF 12M Academie." Early registration for the Coupe de France series and 12mR European Championship at Régates Royales are recommended.
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2023 REGATTAS
September 25 - 30:
October 1:
October 2 - 7
October 10:
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55th Coupe de France Race Series
Prestigious Yachting Trophy Will Be Awarded to Winning 12mR Team
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The Yacht Club de France (YCF) has announced a series of races for 12mR yachts throughout the 2023-24 sailing seasons; the winner will be awarded one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious yachting trophies; the spectacular Coupe de France.
Participating host yacht clubs along the glamorous Riviera– including Cannes, Porquerolles, Saint Tropez, Touloun, Hyères and Barcelona– are organizing a diverse and comprehensive schedule of events featuring 40+ racing days, social events and festive celebrations for the 500+ crew members expected to compete.
This season, the Series will include events in both Europe and the United States (Newport, RI) before moving exclusively to the Med in 2024 highlighted by the 12mR World Championship at Porquerolles... read more.
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Most active in the Baltic Sea, the Northern Europe fleet includes Great Britain, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Finland. |
After competing in 3 early season events including the 2023 Robbe & Berking Sterling and Wessel & Vett Cups, the Vintage Baltic fleet will split for the balance of the season. Six will travel to the South of France to race in September / October 2023 events. After wintering in the Mediterranean, these 12s will be joined by additional Baltic fleet members for the 2024 Southern Europe regatta season highlighted by the 12mR World Championship at Porquerolles.
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2023 REGATTAS
June 4 - 6:
June 8 - 11:
June 30 - July 2:
August 18:
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2022 ITMA Annual General Meeting Wrap-Up |
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The International Twelve Metre Association held its 2022 Annual General Meeting on January 28, 2023. Hosted online, representatives of 18 regular members -- owners of measured 12mR yachts -- cast unanimous affirmative votes on topics including the election of ITMA’s Executive Committee, 2023 Operating Budget and Membership Dues. Results follow:
- ITMA Executive Officers: President, Chris Winter; Treasurer, Dennis Gunderson; and Secretary, SallyAnne Santos.
- In regional elections, each of the three current Vice Presidents representing ITMA in the Americas, Northern and Southern European fleets were re-affirmed: Steve Eddleston, Patrick Howaldt and Bernard Minvielle respectively.
- Proposed 2023 Budget and Membership dues were both approved.
In addition to updates from each of ITMA’s regional fleets (see sections above), Technical Director, Ken McAlpine referred to his previously distributed report. He also announced changes within the Technical Committee-- acknowledging the retirement of Wm H. Dyer Jones and welcoming Bob Campbell to the tech team.
Other items discussed were the need for long-range planning and diversity among 12mR crews—specifically inclusion of youth / women. ITMA will distribute a survey to 12mR owners re: crew composition to gain insight into this topic.
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Your Membership Supports the International 12mR Class |
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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.
Attention 12mR crew and enthusiasts, we value your support too! Please consider joining ITMA as a 2023 Subscriber member.
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International Twelve Metre Database:
Preserving the History of the 12mR Class
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The archive was started by former ITMA S. European Vice President, Luigi Lang and was the basis for 2 books authored by Lang and former ITMA President, Wm. H. Dyer Jones. With boats undergoing changes in ownership, location and restoration its very difficult to keep up-- we need your help!
Please take a look and alert us to any updates needed; together we will preserve the legacy of our historic Twelve Metre Class.
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After disappearing from LLoyd's Register in 1977, it was feared by many that Rhona had been broken up. Until 2013, her last known owner was an artist who planned to use her as a studio for his work. Thanks to a sharp-eyed new owner who "re-discovered" her in Spain, she is undergoing a stem to stern refit which is being well documented at rhonasailing.com -- a sampling of her progress photos are shown below. Watch for K-7 to rejoin the 12mR sailing fleet in Barcelona in time for the 2024 America's Cup.
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BERNARD MINVIELLE
VP, SOUTHERN EUROPE
Bernard’s racing skills were first rewarded when he qualified for the Junior French Championships in the 420 Class. After graduating from the ESSEC Business School, he served as an Officer in the French Navy. Much of his professional career was spent working with the Bich family, first as General Manager and President of Dufour Yachts, the manufacturer of the 12mR France III (F-3) for the 1982 Americas Cup, owned by Marcel Bich. Subsequently he was the General Manager of BIC Sports and BIC Sports USA, owned by Bruno Bich. Bernard is a member of the AFCA (French Association for the America’s Cup), the Yacht Club de France and the Yacht Club Classique. Most recently, Bernard has been instrumental in the revitalization of the Southern European 12mR fleet.
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CHRIS WINTER
ITMA PRESIDENT
At 16 years old as a sailing instructor at his local club, Chris began his life-long career as a professional sailor, coach and sailmaker. After University study, he was hired as an Offshore Sailing School Director in the US and BVI. Next, he acquired sail-making expertise at Melges Sails and Shore Sails in the US and Finland. As a competitor, Chris was a crew member in the Ultimate 30 Professional Sailing Series in 1991-1993 and as Head Coach he led the USMMA Offshore Sailing Team to victory at the AYC Spring Series. While working at Finland’s WB Sails, he successfully coached 2004 Athens Olympic qualifiers from NZL and AUS as well as Bermuda’s Yngling team. The Finnish Sailing Federation selected Chris as that country’s Olympic Head Coach through 2009 when he started CW Sailing Consultant OY, to provide elite level race coaching, professional sailing, boat optimization, tuning and seminars. Since 2014 he has been captain of Blue Marlin (FIN-1) and Manager of Oy Scripo Red Sky Yachts. ITMA is fortunate to have Chris’ experience and expertise now focused on the 12mR Class.
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STEVE EDDLESTON
VP, AMERICAS
After a successful international career in computer engineering, working for the likes of DEC, Aspect Communications, BEA, and Honeywell Steve’s entrepreneurial and fitness passion kicked in and he successfully founded and operated 17 fitness centers for Planet Fitness in Rhode Island and Southern Mass. Steve is most recently a high-tech angel investor and sails and charters his beautiful and historic yacht Weatherly (US-17) in Newport, Rhode Island. Although a Kiwi, Steve didn't start building his sailing skills until the early 90's in Maine on small Hobies and other multihulls then leapt to schooners (Eros) before settling on the 12mR class as the ultimate sailing experience for speed, beauty and teamwork.
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12mRs Race at Cowes 1960:
Sceptre (K-17), Flica II (K-14) & Norsaga (K-16)
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This Month in 12mR History, March 1958
Sports Illustrator; The America's Cup Race is On
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The big race is actually six months away, but scientists, engineers and designers are working night and day for the biggest sports prize of 1958.
Last week the lid popped off the America’s Cup situation in the U.S. and revealed that even though the big race isn’t until September the designers of the 12-metre Cup boats were already racing each other wide open. The lid lifted when Sports Illustrated was permitted to photograph the 4-1/2-foot test models of the new U.S. yachts (shown below) for the first time…
… It is partly to encourage sailing in the 12-meter class that Cup racing has been revived. The usually genial and leisured world of yachting has been thrown into a hurly-burly of excitement, plans, negotiations and discreet espionage at the prospect of the first Cup races in 21 years… read more
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