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)