12m yacht

12 Metre Worlds

Official website of the International Twelve Metre Class World Championships

2024 12MR WORLDS: Race Results, June 21

Editors’ Note: To receive the 12 Metre Worlds blog, sign up here: https://12mRworlds.com

CONTACTS: Bernard Minvielle , ITMA Vice President, Southern European fleet;  Aurélie Lhuillier , Porquerolles YC; SallyAnne Santos , International 12mR Class (ITMA) Communications Director

2024 12MR WORLDS: Race Results, June 21

#12mRWorlds2024, #12mRClass

Stay tuned… Official Notice Board: https://www.racingrulesofsailing.org/documents/7391/event

Subscribe to this blog and follow our social media channels below to stay in the know about 12mR World Championship news.

NOTE: Google Translate function for entire site is found in footer

Support for the 2024 International World Championship has been provided by our

The 2024 12 Metre World Championship is sanctioned by the International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA) and hosted by the Porquerolles Yacht Club with the Yacht Club de France.

THE YACHT CLUB de PORQUEROLLES celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2016. Its founding President Sébastien Le Ber and his friends, passionate about sailing, created the Yacht Club in 1986 with a view to making the most of the magnificent body of water which surrounds Porquerolles.

THE YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE, founded in 1867, remains faithful to its vocation: to contribute to the development of pleasure boating in all its forms; in cruises and in racing, defend and promote the values of solidarity, courtesy and moral elegance that animate all seafarers. Recognized as a public utility on the eve of the Great War, the Yacht Club de France is proud to have counted among its members Jules Verne, Virginie Hériot, Alain Gerbault, Commander Charcot, Marin-Marie, Eric Tabarly. Respect traditions, bring together the sailors of tomorrow.

THE COUPE DE FRANCE by YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE was created in 1891 to develop the building of racing vessels in France. For its 55th edition, the challenge reunites the 12mR Class for twelve events throughout the Mediterranean Sea.

THE INTERNATIONAL 12 METRE ASSOCIATION 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).

Administration: 12mR Fleet, S. Europe Bernard Minvielle [email protected] +33 611 19 00 95

Press Inquires: YC de Porquerolles Aurélie Lhuillier [email protected] +33 (0)4 94 58 34 49

Communications Director: International 12 Metre Class SallyAnne Santos [email protected] +1 917-330-1730

Quicklinks:

12mR Worlds Official: https://12mrworlds.com

Porquerolles YC: https://yachtclubporquerolles.fr

Coupe de France: https://coupedefrance.org

International Twelve Metre Association: https://12mrclass.com

12mR Worlds Facebook: @12MetreWorldChampionship

ITMA Facebook: @12mRClass

12mR Worlds Instagram @12mRWorldChampionship

ITMA Instagram: @12metreclass

ITMA YouTube: @International12mR

#12mRClass, #12mRWorlds2024, #YachtClubdeFrance, #CoupedeFrance, #InternationalTwelveMetreAssociation, #PorquerollesFrance

Share this:

2024 12mr worlds: nous sommes prêts, 2024 12mr world championship: nous sommes prêts.

PORQUEROLLES, FRANCE (June 14, 2024) – Sixteen of the most beautiful and storied International 12Metre Class yachts are now assembled in the harbor at the Yacht Club Porquerolles. Fourteen are ready to race at the 12 Metre World Championship organized by the Yacht Club de Porquerolles on an island just south of Hyères, France, from June 17-23, 2024.

The “rockstar” roll call of 2024 competitors includes previous and reigning World and European Champions, Olympic Medalists and America’s Cup sailors. The yachts themselves, each with a distinctive pedigree, are sailing legends in their own right.

Aurélie Lhuillier, Director of the Yacht Club de Porquerolles said, “It is a great pride for the Yacht Club de Porquerolles to host the 12m JI World Championship. We look forward to seeing all these exceptional boats moored in the port and then watching them race for five days in the Hyères harbor. For over a year, all the Yacht Club teams have been mobilized for this event which will be the highlight of the 2024 season.”

Because of the diversity in age and design of 100+ 12mR yachts built to the International Rule since 1907, the 12mR Class designates a separate World Champion in each of four 12mR Divisions. At this event World Champions will be named in the Grand Prix and Vintage Divisions with trophies awarded to the top 3 finishers in each group.

The 2024 12mR World Championship Competitors in the VINTAGE Division are:

• Flica II (K-14) , Christopher Bunning, BVI
• Jenetta (K-1) , Thomas Müller, DE
• La Spina (I-1) , Michael Creach, IT
• Nini Anker (N-15) , Christopher Avenarius, DE
• Northern Light (US-14) , Hans Eliasson, SW
• Thea (D-1) , Robert de Haer, DE
• Vim (US-15) , Patrick Howaldt, DN & Helmuth Henning, HK

With a number of exceptions, the VINTAGE Division yachts are centered primarily in ITMA’s Northern European region where they are frequent rivals on the 12mR race course. Over the past two decades, this fleet has enjoyed a renaissance in the Baltic Sea. Despite their ages –the eldest, D-1 is 106 years old– these yachts are in top racing trim in addition to being beautiful to behold. Vim (US-15) is the reigning World Champion (Finland, 2021) in this division but will be met with fierce opposition in a fleet stacked with very competitive teams.

“The waters of the Bay of Hyeres in Southern France will see 6 Grand Prix 12 Metres racing for their Divisional World Championship. This is the largest group of Grand Prix boats racing in many years. The resurgence of the class racing in the Med is truly spectacular. The Grand Prix boats will be joined by one Modern 12 and a highly motivated and competitive fleet of Vintage boats. Sunny skies, great 12 Metre racing and island life on Porquerolles sound good to me.” Chris Winter, President, International 12mR Association

The 2024 12mR World Championship Competitors in the GRAND PRIX Division are:

• Crusader (K-24) , Richard Matthews, UK
• France (F-1) *, Marc Bonduelle, FR
• French Kiss (F-7) , Christophe Babule, FR
• Kiwi Magic (KZ-7) , Christoffer Blach Petersen, DN
• Kookaburra II (KA-12) , Patrizio Bertelli, IT & Torben Grael, BR
• Kookaburra III (KA-15) , Jesper Banks, DN
• South Australia (KA-8) , Yann DelPlace, FR

*Being built for the 1970 America’s Cup, the national racing yacht of our host country France (F-1) is technically a member of the MODERN 12mR Division but as there are no other entries in this division, F-1 will sail with the GRAND PRIX Division on this auspicious occasion.

Although Legacy (KZ-5), the reigning World Champion in the GP Division will not be competing, the Olympian sailor that helmed KZ-5 to victory– Jesper Banks (DN) will be. He is skippering another 12mR– Kookaburra III (KA-15) to defend his own GP champion title in a group stacked with world-class sailors including Patrizio Bertelli’s (IT) Kookaburra II (KA-12), skippered by Torben Grael, who sailed a perfect regatta sweeping all five races at the recent Pre-Worlds at St. Tropez. We expect “feathers to fly” when the two Kooka’s — KA-12 and KA-15, former Aussie stablemates — meet at Porquerolles. Watch for the the most closely contested 12mR Grand Prix World Championship in recent history.

Click for a complete list of 2024 12mR World Championship Competitor profiles.

In the 2-year Coupe de France Series the first 2 regattas of the 2024 season are now in the books and reflected in the updated standings below.

Porquerolles Preview

If past is prologue, the 2024 12mR World Championship to be organized by the Yacht Club de Porquerolles (Hyères, FRA) from June 16-24 will be truly spectacular! Recently six twelve metres built between 1929- 1986 representing a 57-year cross-section of 12mR development experienced the glorious sailing conditions and onshore hospitality of the venue. They were, Vintage: La Spina (I-1) ; Traditional: Ikra (K-3) ; Modern: France (F-1) ; and Grand Prix: South Australia (KA-8) , French Kiss (F-7) and Kiwi Magic (KZ-7) .

Sailing conditions were perfect with 8- 14 knots wind, air temperature 24°c and fantastic coastal scenery. Porquerolles is beautiful island 5 nm south of Hyères. It is a tourist attraction like Skagen in Denmark, Marstrand in Sweden and the Cape Cod area of the US. With only 200 year-round inhabitants, the island hosts up to 10,000 visitors on a summer day. 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 Square. The organizers were very good, everything worked out well including the social activities. It is a superb place for the Worlds in 2024, and we can highly recommend other 12mRs to come – you will love it! Johan Blach Petersen, Kiwi Magic (KZ-7)

Calling All 12mRs to the Med!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: SallyAnne Santos , ITMA Communications Director, +1 917-330-1730

Calling All Twelve Metres to the Mediterranean!

A message from itma president, chris winter and yacht club de france president, philippe héral:.

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, USA (June 6, 2023)

Please see the correspondence below from ITMA President, Chris Winter and Philippe Héral, President of the Yacht Club de France to the 12mR fleet worldwide.. It contains an invitation to all Twelve Metres to gather together in the Med to participate at the 55th Coupe de France regatta series and the Puig Vela Classica Barcelona and 12 Metre Reunion, AC Edition .

ITMA President Chris Winter added: “”This is an extraordinary time of rebuilding for the Twelve Metre Class worldwide, particularly in our Southern European fleet. We hope that you will share our excitement and join us in the Med for the exceptional series of events being planned over the next two seasons.”

For more information on the Series, please visit: CoupedeFrance.org

ABOUT THE 55th COUPE DE FRANCE

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– will organize a comprehensive schedule of events featuring 40 days of racing, social events and festive celebrations for the 500+ crew members expected to compete. In 2023,  the Series will include events in both Europe and the United States  (Newport, RI) before moving exclusively to the Med in 2024 leading up to the 12mR World Championship at Porquerolles.

ABOUT THE YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE

Founded in 1867, the YC de France has been the Club of 100s of both famous and accomplished sailors including Virginie Hériot, Jean-Baptiste Charcot and Eric Tabarly. With its’ partner Clubs throughout the country, the YC de France represents a strong regatta organizing power in France.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL 12 METRE ASSOCIATION (ITMA)

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).

QUICKLINKS:

International 12mR Association (ITMA) https://12mrclass.com

#12mRClass, #12mRWorlds2024 , #CoupedeFrance

55th Coupe de France

Yacht club de france to award most prestigious trophy to 12mr winner.

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– will organize a comprehensive schedule of events featuring 40 days of racing, 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 leading up to the 12mR World Championship at Porquerolles.

A British team sailing at Cannes was the first to claim the impressive silver cup in 1898. Since then, the Coupe de France has been awarded to teams from Italy, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia and France. 12mR sailors from all of these nations plus Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States will compete for the privilege of raising this revered trophy in victory.

Learn more about the Series at the dedicated website: CoupedeFrance.org

ABOUT THE YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE: Founded in 1867, the YC de France has been the Club of 100s of both famous and accomplished sailors including Virginie Hériot, Jean-Baptiste Charcot and Eric Tabarly. With its’ partner Clubs throughout the country, the YC de France represents a strong regatta organizing power in France. Southern European Fleet

ABOUT THE SOUTHERN EUROPEAN 12 METRE FLEET: Sailing primarily in the Mediterranean Sea, this fleet includes yachts in France, Italy, Turkey and Portugal and also includes Oceania. Southern European Fleet

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL 12 METRE ASSOCIATION (ITMA): 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, Johan Anker, Alfred Mylne, Charles E. Nicholson, Philip Rhodes, 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). To learn more, visit 12mRClass.com

2024 12mR WORLD CHAMPIONS: NORTHERN LIGHT (US-14) AND KOOKABURRA II (KA-12)

2024 12mr world champions: northern light (us-14) and kookaburra ii (ka-12).

PORQUEROLLES, FRANCE (June 22, 2024) –Fourteen International 12Metre Class yachts raced at the 12 Metre World Championship organized by the Yacht Club de Porquerolles on an island just south of Hyères, France this week.

Although a strong mistral (22-36 knots) prevented racing today; the required six races were completed and the 2024 12mR World Champions have been named in the Vintage and Grand Prix Divisions– they are Northern Light (US-14) and Kookaburra II (KA-12) .

“ Despite challenging weather conditions, the Race Committee did a superb job. Even with two “no sail” days; they were able to run the necessary six races needed to qualify the 12mR World Championship. ” ~ Chris Winter, ITMA President

In the closely contested Vintage Division, Hans Eliasson’s (SW) Northern Light (US-14) , skippered by Magnus Holmberg scored just 9pts. to edge out Thomas Müller’s (DE) Jenetta (K-1) and Christoph Avenarius’ (DE) Nini Anker (N-15) who claimed 2nd and 3rd place with 10pts. and 11pts. respectively.

“ We are very proud to be world champions! When we bought the boat five years ago, our goal was to win the 2024 world championship and it’s done here in Porquerolles, we’re really happy. ” ~ Hans Eliasson, owner Northern Light (US-14)

The 2024 12mR World Championship Competitors in the VINTAGE Division were:

In the Grand Prix Division; Patrizio Bertelli’s (IT) Kookaburra II (KA-12) , skippered by Torben Grael (BR) sailed away with the 12mR Grand Prix Division Championship by winning all six of the races. Kiwi Magic (KZ-7) and French Kiss (F-7) finished in 2nd and 3rd place; moving both up in the Coupe de France Series leaderboard.

“ This victory is the result of a lot of work by the team. We prepared, had good sails, and thanks to Mr. Bertelli we had an outstanding crew. It was great to sail with my friend Santi (Santigo Lange) for the first time, my great friend Marcelo (Marcelo Ferreira) who was my teammate for 25 years and my son too, it was a great experience for us. ” ~ Torben Grael (BR), skipper, Kookaburra II (KA-12).

The 2024 12mR World Championship Competitors in the GRAND PRIX Division were:

“ It is a great pride for the Porquerolles Yacht Club to have hosted the 12m JI world championship. The line-up was exceptional with the presence of legendary sailors. The races were intense, with difficult weather conditions for everyone. We are very lucky to have an extraordinary team of volunteers at the club, nothing would be possible without them! “ ~ Aurélie Lhuillier, Director of the Porquerolles Yacht Club.

Act II of the Coupe de France Series is now complete and reflected in the updated standings below. A disappointing performance at the Worlds by Coupe de France front-runner Vim (US-15) enabled 2nd place Kiwi Magic (KZ-7) and 3rd place French Kiss (F-7) to narrow the gap in the overall standings. The third and final Act III commences on September 4 at a special 12mR Regatta hosted by the RCNB at the Barcelona (SP) America’s Cup venue.

2024 12MR WORLDS: Race Results, June 20

2024 12mr worlds: race results, june 20.

After 3 races today, 4 races of the 2024 12mR World Championship are now complete…

2024 12MR WORLDS: Race Results, June 19

2024 12mr worlds: race results, june 19.

Race One of the 2024 12mR World Championship is in the books! There will no further racing today due to continuing blustery conditions.

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Report this content
• View site in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Enterprise: Is this restored 12 Metre the best yacht to never contest the America’s Cup?

• November 19, 2019

Enterprise is a 1977 S&S-designed 12 Metre, originally built to defend the America’s Cup, and fully restored in time for this year’s 12 Metre World Championships in Rhode Island. Dave Powlison reports

Among the 21 elegant Twelves lining the docks at Rhode Island’s Fort Adams for this summer’s 12 Metre World Championship, sat a yacht that for many was a huge disappointment. Enterprise , built for the 1977 America’s Cup , had everything going for her, but never got the invitation to the Cup she seemed destined to receive. Today, she’s arguably the best set-up 12 Metre in the world.

Designed by Olin Stephens and David Pedrick at Sparkman & Stephens, and built of aluminium at the Minneford Yacht Yard, Enterprise boasted a number of firsts. She was the first design to be tank-tested on a large scale, with a handful of models measuring roughly 7m each, in tanks designed for the aerospace and military industries.

Results from those tests suggested that over a typical 24-mile America’s Cup course in an average 10-knot wind, Enterprise would be a minute faster than her rivals.  Enterprise was also the first yacht to pioneer laminate sails, using plastic films to stabilise the more conventional Dacron. Her sails included the ‘garbage bag’, a light airs genoa that (in colour, at least) suggested its moniker.

Enterprise posted two race wins in the 2019 12 Metre World Championships. Photo: Ian Roman

The 1977 Challenger matches were a rematch of the 1974 Courageous v Intrepid rivalry between upstart west coaster Lowell North and eastern establishment sailor Ted Hood.

At North’s right hand was sailmaking wunderkind John Marshall, who would be a dominant presence in Cup competitions for years to come. Many of Enterprise ’s crew had cut their 12 Metre teeth on Intrepid ’s successful 1970 Cup defence. In fact, Intrepid was brought out of retirement and trucked to San Diego to spar with the new design.

Yet it was Courageous , a 1974 design, that secured the spot to defend the Cup ( Courageous successfully saw off Alan Bond’s Australia in the Cup match). So what went wrong for Enterprise ? Anyone who knows the boat well won’t hesitate to respond. “ Enterprise had a foretriangle dimension that was about three feet shorter than what was conventional,” Marshall explained to me recently.

Enterprise hull is now painted battleship grey – the original colour was white

Most 12s have a 24ft foretriangle, give or take a bit. Enterprise ’s was 21ft. “Computer predictions that evaluated flow over surfaces suggested this would give us an edge,” Marshall recalled. But when it came to tacking, getting the stiff headsails quickly across was a challenge, as there was now 3ft more sail that had to pass around the front of the mast.

“The jib didn’t fill quite as quickly, and we didn’t accelerate quite as quickly coming out of tacks,” Marshall adds. In the early challenger races, Enterprise performed well. But as the summer progressed, Courageous got distinctly better. “Once the difference got down to being pretty small, and the boats were always close together, tacking performance became much more important.”

Consider that it wasn’t unheard of for 12 Metres to do over 50 tacks on a four-mile beat, and it’s clear why the writing was on the wall.

Article continues below…

Maiden refit: How Tracy Edwards’ sailing legend was brought back to life

Few yachts, and fewer skippers, become truly famous – famous in the sense that the everyman on the street would…

Fujin: The inside story of this carbon catamaran’s Caribbean refit

After Fujin capsized during the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 race it would have been understandable if owner Greg Slyngstad had…

Back to her best

Fast-forward to 2019 and Enterprise is back in fighting form. After stints in the Med she had been donated to the US Merchant Marine Academy Sailing Foundation.

With the impetus of the forthcoming 2019 Worlds in Newport, a major refit was begun in earnest. Tommy Rich, from New England Boatworks, which carried out the refit, recalls: “The boat had been bastardised. They had put a flush deck on it and a bogus interior, and it was basically in a state of disrepair.”

The refit was done over roughly two years, and in that time virtually everything on the boat was upgraded or replaced, except the hull and framework.

The hull structure is one of the few parts of the boat that remains original

Rich explains: “S&S, along with David Pedrick, designed a new keel. The boat got a more modern spade rudder to replace the old, barn-door type, and a more modern deck. That included new cockpits and a spinnaker pole trough – basically all the working deck – as well as a new chainplate structure.”

The boat received a new rig: an aluminium mast, as per the class rules, but with carbon used everywhere else, as well as all-new Harken hydraulics. And, of course, the ‘J’ foretriangle dimension is at 24ft once again.

For this level of investment in time and money, there was just one goal: to win the World Championship. Enterprise was chartered by Clay Deutsch for the summer, but the race started even before she had hit the water. “The challenge for us has been the calendar,” says Deutsch. “We didn’t have the boat in a position to go sailing until the end of May. And it’s pretty humbling how long it takes to get these boats dialed in.”

Double wheels: outer one for steering; inner one for trim tab control

Nevertheless, her pedigree showed quickly. In her first competition in Newport this summer, Enterprise posted a pair of 1sts in the two final races. In the 2019 World Championship in Newport she finished a solid 2nd overall in the Modern Division to the more seasoned Challenge XII .

For Deutsch, the 12 Metre seed was planted long ago. “When I was a kid, while other kids had baseball and football cards, I had an Intrepid scrapbook, and I have always fantasised about 12 Metres. Then, out of the blue this past winter, North Sails’ Mike Toppa came to me with, ‘What about Enterprise ?’ It was the furthest thing from my mind, and I just figured we wouldn’t be there.”

But Deutsch was persuaded, and work shifted into a frenzied pitch at New England Boatworks. “I remember when I first looked at it, and it was in a million pieces, and I said: ‘I’m not a professional, but my amateur opinion is that this boat has no chance of being ready.’

Asymmetric foredeck hatches – the port hatch has a roller on the aft side for spinnaker take downs

“But Ben Quatromoni, the project manager, and his team jumped on it, working around the clock, and we made it to the starting line.” Today Enterprise ’s decks today are remarkably spartan for a 12 Metre: it’s 1977 meets 2019 technology, with lots of carbon. “The boat setup is complicated,” says Quatromoni, “but it’s very user-friendly.”

The port foredeck hatch has a roller on the aft side, TP52 -style, for the string take down spinnaker system. Once around the roller, the chute is pulled through a Dacron tube that runs to the stern. With the grinders working in unison, the sail disappears in five seconds.

Control lines run through custom-made carbon ‘trumpets’, allowing them move effortlessly out of sight. Carbon reels take up the halyards. These are ratchet system reels, where one control line spins the reel, bringing the halyard in, and another control line releases it. Unlike those reels, the spinnaker take-down reel is powered off the pedestals.

The spinnaker take down bag; the spinnaker comes down through the forward deck hatch and is pulled through this long Dacron bag

The aluminium cockpit has been lowered to get the grinders down and allow the boom to just avoid grazing the deck when fully sheeted in. But the boom is low. “Man, is it crowded,” says Deutsch. “I can barely fit under the boom – when we’re tacking, I’m literally down on all fours.”

The port and starboard jib trimmer pits have hydraulic controls for the jib tack and jib leads, which is standard for the Twelves. As on most 12 Metres, below decks is anything but simple.

The 150ft of mainsheet runs from the traveller car up into the boom, forward to the gooseneck, below deck, then aft to a turning block where it goes up into the mainsheet pod. Rather than using a winch for the traveller, the car is controlled by a Harken magic wheel below decks, with a 17:1 purchase.

With so many hydraulic systems, continual pumping is required to keep them pressurised, and the aft cockpit pedestal is set up to run a rotary pump, mounted below, for that purpose. For trimmers, there’s no downtime. Once they’ve finished trimming, it’s back to pumping to keep the hydraulics powered up.

The workmanship on many of the systems is truly extraordinary. The turning blocks for the spinnaker sheet and guy are so inconspicuous as to be barely noticeable. The traveller control line looks as if it has been simply laid on deck.  Enterprise ’s original white hull is now battleship grey. Coupled with black spars, the effect is stunning.

Specification

LOA: 20.15m (66ft 1in) LWL : 13.41m (44ft 0in) Beam: 3.78m   ( 12ft 5in) Draught: 3.78m   ( 12ft 5in) Displacement: 25.7 tonnes Sail area: 168m 2  (1,808ft 2 ) Design: Sparkman & Stephens Year: 1977 Builder: Minneford Yacht Yard, Inc.

About the author

Dave Powlison has been writing about sailing since the late 1970s and is currently an editor-at-large for Sailing World magazine. When not writing, he races Etchells and an RS Aeros in Vermont, USA.

First published in the November 2019 edition of Yachting World.

Find your Yacht

Find your destination.

Buy a Yacht

Share a yacht, yacht investment.

Find relevant Management Services

• +41 78 226 17 10
• Seestrasse 39 · 9326 Horn · Switzerland

Our Policies

December 5, 2022

A brief history of the famous “12 metre” class yachts.

Historic Yachts

Fascination 12mR

Elegant Beauties

The boats, especially the long-keeled examples of the thirties are elegant. You can look at them for a long time, from the massive stem to the stern that is lifted apart from the water.

But let’s tell the story from the beginning

America’s Cup contenders between 1958 and 1987 – the 12 Metre Class

International Rules

The America’s Cup, the oldest Trophy

The Auld Mug

“12 metres” were designed with one thing in mind – to win America’s Cup races. The design of their products reflects this in every aspect. America’s Cup twelves didn’t have room for an engine, anything below decks, or even a toilet when they were campaigning. The deck layouts of America’s Cup twelves are set up for optimal sail performance as well as for speed. When racing, the sails are the engine of the boat, so trimming them correctly and quickly was crucial to winning. America’s Cup “12 Metre” crews were also trained for efficiency. When it was their turn to compete in the famous America’s Cup, they had intensive training and practice to be flawless at sail handling and the best yacht racers in the world.

During the summer months of August and October, many of these classic racers attend numerous sailing events on the French Riviera . Noblesse Yachts is the only company that offers sailing opportunities as well as yacht charters.

Come sail with us on a piece of America’s Cup racing history on these sleek racing beauties!

Available Dates are: 07.09. – 10.09.23: Vele d’Epoca di Imperia ( See Video here ) 13.09. – 16.09.23: Monaco Classic Week ( See Video here ) 19.09. – 25.09.23: Les Regates Royales de Cannes ( See Video here ) 24.09. – 08.10.23: Les Voiles de Saint Tropez ( See Video here )

Note about copyright: This text is copyrighted by us and you may copy and use it only with a link to our website along with a clear indication of our authorship. Thank you!

#classicyacht #veledepoca # monacoclassicweek #adrenaline #regatesroyles #lesvoilesdesainttropez #sainttropez #cannes #monaco #12metre #racing #racingyacht #americascup #12mR-Class, #12mRClass, #12mRWorldChampionship, #12mRWorlds, #JohanAnker, #TheaD-1, #VanityVK-5, #VimUS-15, #WingsK-15, 12mR racing, #noblesse #noblesseyachts #luxurycharter #luxuryyachts #boatrental #travelwithstyle #holiday2022 #yachtlife #yachtworld #yachtlover #sailaway #holidayescape #timeofmylife

Orianda: A Timeless Icon of Maritime Elegance

Yachting Pleasure

The Grand Legacy of the Steam Yacht SS Delphine: A Voyage Through Time

Sustainable Corporate Events: Charting a Greener Future

The 15-Metre Class Yachts: A Historical Overview

Exploring the Timeless Elegance of Mariska: A Classic Yacht’s Journey Through History

Your Regatta 101 Guide for Participating with your own Boat

• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies to ensure the best experience. Read more.

The 12-Metre Class is a rating class for racing boats designed to the International rule. It enables fair competition between boats that rate in the class whilst retaining the freedom to experiment with the details of their designs. The first 12 Metres were built in 1907. The 12 Metre Class was used in the Olympic Games of 1908, 1912 and 1920 but only few boats participated. The 12 Metre Class boats are probably best known for their use from 1958 to 1987 in the America’s Cup.

Rough equality between boats is ensured by requiring compliance with a formula that takes  account of the length at the waterline, the girth (the measurement around the boat from one sideboard; under the keel and then back over the top on the opposite side back to the original side) and the sail area. The very carefully specified measurements are then entered in to the formula, and the result must be 12 Metres – hence the name of the class. Designers are free to change any of these variables (as well as other details, such as the size of the rudder and keel, etc.), with the understanding that for any change in any of the measured attributes, something else will have to be adjusted, in order to make the formula produce the required value.

The “12 Metre” in the class name does not refer to the actual length of the boats, which ranged from 65 to 75 feet (about 20 to 23 m) overall. They were all sloop-rigged, with their masts typically being about 85 feet (26 m) tall. The “12 Metre” yachts are also referred to as “Twelves” or “12 Metres” or even 12s.

The Formula and associated rules for designing and constructing 12 Metre yachts has been modified several times from inception in racing.

The purpose of the Formula and rules was to encourage designer creativity to optimise designs to get the best overall performance when racing whilst maintaining competitive racing between the different designs. Although the Formula and Rules allowed some creativity they were also intended to be comprehensive enough to eliminate loopholes which could result in an extreme design which conformed to the 12 Metre rule but completely outclassed other contemporary designs on the race course. If the rules were considered to be too loose then it would discourage the building of new 12 Metre yachts for fear of a new boat being outclassed even before it was launched.

The Rules were typically updated in response to advances in areas such as material technology (e.g. metal masts versus wooden masts), design technology (e.g. use of the wind tunnel to design sails and sail/mast combinations, advances in fluid dynamics), and equipment (e.g. winch technology).

The Rule has four distinct periods:

Used from 1907–1920

• L  = waterline length (LWL)
• B  = beam
• G  = chain girth
• d  = difference between skin girth and chain girth
• S  = sail area
• F  = freeboard

Used from 1920–1933

Used from 1933–1939

Used from 1956 onwards:

Associated with the formula is an extremely comprehensive set of rules. The rules can be classified into two main areas. Rules concerning safety and rules to ensure competitive racing. For example the maximum total area of all cockpits is specified to minimise the chance of a boat being swamped in rougher seas. Structural requirements are specified to ensure that strength is not sacrificed by the need to get weight low down in the keel. Materials are specified plus numerous other details concerning all aspects of the boat. The intention is to challenge designers but ensure competitive racing.

Information courtesy of the ‘Australian Twelves Association’.

SHARE THIS:

• Yachts for Sale

Recently updated...

Write an Article

Covering news on classic yachting worldwide is a tall ask and with your input Classic Yacht Info can expose stories from your own back yard.

We are keen to hear about everything from local regattas and classic events to a local restoration or yachting adventure. Pictures are welcome and ideal for making the article more engaging.

With a site that has been created with the assistance of an international group of classic yacht enthusiasts we value your input and with your help we strive to make CYI more up-to-date and more informative than ever.

Please register and get in touch if you would like to contribute.

choose your language:

We’re passionate about Classic Yachts here at CYI, and we welcome submissions from all over the globe!

Captain, rigger, sail-maker or chef – if you’d like to write for CYI just let us know!

Email [email protected] to be set up as a Contributor, and share your Classic thoughts with the world.

ClassicYachtInfo.com has the largest database of classic yachts on the internet.

We’re continually working to keep it accurate and up-to-date, and we greatly appreciate contributions of any type. If you spot an error, or you have some information on a yacht and would like to contribute, please jump on in!

Don’t be shy…. Breeze on!

• Sell Your Yacht

© 2024 12 Metre Yacht Club, All rights reserved.

Secondary address

Related members, related boats.

Event Details

12 Metre Yacht Development Foundation

Experience the thrill of America’s Cup Match Racing

Take an active part in supporting Long Island Sound’s historical connection to the America’s Cup

I2m Yacht Development Foundation [I2mYDF]  was conceived in Greenwich, Connecticut in 2006 on the Western end of Long Island Sound which has had such a significant historical contribution to the America’s Cup and the maritime history of the United States.   As we celebrate 10 years of operation and prepare to enter our second decade –we remain true to our Charitable Mission with exciting plans to “acquire, restore, and preserve historic America’s Cup Class l2m yachts and their match racing heritage.”

The foundation began with the acquisition, restoration and preservation of our first America’s Cup Class I2m yacht  America II / US42  (2007) whose syndicate campaigned in the 1987 America’s Cup in Perth, Australia. In (2010) we  restored and preserved  Lionheart /K18    which challenged for Great Britain in the 1980 America’s Cup in Newport, RI and in  (2014) we  then restored and preserved  Freedom / US30  – the last winner  of the 1980 America’s Cup in Newport.  Only with your continued help and support can we actively continue our foundations mission to secure and restore other historic America’s Cup Class yachts and to educate and preserve their match racing heritage for all enthuasists to enjoy.

• Partner Reservations
• Under Our Management
• Past Restorations
• Available for Sale/Restoration
• Job Opportunities
• Mathis Yacht Building Co.

• Meet the ITMA Team
• Class Rules
• Class By-Laws
• 12mR Database
• Measurement Certificates
• The 12mR Class by Luigi Lang & Dyer Jones- Volume 1
• The 12mR Class by Luigi Lang & Dyer Jones- Volume 2
• 2024 PORQUEROLLES
• 2023 NEWPORT
• 2021 HELSINKI
• 2019 NEWPORT
• 2014 BARCELONA
• 2011 FLENSBURG
• WORLD CHAMPIONS
• 2017-2019 Series
• 2021 Regattas
• 2020 Regattas
• 2019 Regattas
• 2018 Regattas
• 2017 Regattas
• 2016 Regattas
• 2015 Regattas
• 2014 Regattas
• 2013 Regattas
• 2012 Regattas
• 2011 Regattas
• AMERICAS FLEET
• NORTHERN EUROPE FLEET
• SOUTHERN EUROPE FLEET
• Americas Fleet
• N. Europe Fleet
• S. Europe Fleet
• Coupe de France Series

AZZURRA III (I-10)

Crusader (k-24).

• LEGACY (KZ-5)
• VANITY V (K-5)
• VICTORY ’83 (K-22)

WINGS (K-15)

• 12mRs for Charter
• 12mR Brand Guide
• 12mR Team Store

Wings (K-15) now available for purchase!

Wings (K-15) oiis a Camper & Nicholson 12 Metre which was originally built in 1937 and completely rebuilt by Guy Ribadeau Dumas, France in 2007 to her original specification.

This is an incredible opportunity to purchase one of the fastest classic 12 Metres on the planet, Wings has been optimized sympathetically to create an up-to-date racing yacht that still holds much of her original character from 1937. Her race wins and recent results speak for themselves, she is extremely fast.

In current ownership since 2017 she has been run by a very successful syndicate which has put a lot of time and effort into not only winning, but continuing to prove how special this 12 Metre is. She has had all new rigging, new mast designed and built, new/serviced winches and meticulously maintained by the Wings team and let’s not forget that she has been winter stored in a boatshed.

2024 is an exciting year for the European 12 Metre Class with racing taking place in the South of France.

Download 12mR Wings sales brochure

Price upon request.

For full details, please email   Philipp Skafte-Holm , or call +4540119812

*The International Twelve Metre Association neither endorses nor confirms specific listing details.

12mR Class database: Wings  (K-15) Specs Wings  (K-15) History & Photos

Share this:

CRUSADER (K-24) was designed and built for the last America’s Cup in the 12-metre class, she benefited from years of development in the class and advanced aluminum technology and skills at the time. Since then, she has been well-loved and maintained by her current owner, and more importantly, she has been used and not left to stand idle.

Own an Italian racing machine! Built in 1986 according to the International Third Rule- America’s Cup, Azzurra III (I-10) is under complete refit in Italy, which will presumably be completed by October 2024.

8 Bells: Johan Blach Petersen

We recently learned of the untimely passing of Johan Blach Petersen; a true gentleman and supporter of the International Twelve Metre Class. Johan was the owner / skipper of Kiwi Magic (KZ-7); he and his team of family and friends actively campaigned throughout Northern and Southern European 12mR fleets, and raced in Newport (RI) at the 12mR Worlds. ITMA officers and members remember him...

International Twelve Metre E-Newsletter, April 2024

ITMA's April 2024 E-Newsletter contains all you need to know to start preparing for a spectacular International Twelve Metre sailing season! Updates include: Coupe de France, 12mR Worlds, ITMA's new Divisional Representatives, Regional Fleet Schedules, 12mR Rule Change, 12mRs for Sale and more.

Discover more from INTERNATIONAL 12 METRE ASSOCIATION

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading