Category: 2019 World Championship

VIM (US-15) Claims 12mR Pre-Worlds Victory at KSSS Saltsjöbaden – Sandhamn Regatta

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2021 12 Metre World Championship, Helsinki Finland

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KSSS Yacht Club

2021 12 Metre PRE-World Championship:

VIM (US-15) Claims Victory at KSSS Saltsjöbaden – Sandhamn Regatta

Vintage fleet on the starting line at the 12mR Pre-Worlds at KSSSKSSS’s Saltsjöbaden - Sandhamn Regatta
Vintage fleet on the starting line of the 12mR Pre-Worlds at KSSS Saltsjöbaden – Sandhamn Regatta. photo: Kim Weckström

12MR FLEET IS ON THE MOVE; NEXT STOP HELSINKI!

STOCKHOLM, SE (August 8, 2021): Thirty-knot winds kept the Vintage 12mR fleet on the dock and Vim (US-15) at the top of the leaderboard when Day Four of racing was cancelled at KSSS’s Saltsjöbaden – Sandhamn Regatta for Pre-Worlds honors.

Day One started with a coastal race sailed in moderate winds from Stockholm to Sandhamn.  Nini Anker (N-1), Wings (K-15) and Vim (US-15) finished 1, 2 and 3 respectively just seconds apart after the nearly 3-hour distance race. Day Two’s shifty 5-9 knot breeze favored Vim who scored 1-1-(2) for the day with Nini Anker 2-2-(3) and Wings 3-(3)-1 close behind.

On Day Three, Vim (1-2-1-2) and Wings (2-1-2-1) swapped two firsts and two seconds each in the four windward-leeward races sailed. Nini Anker (3-3-3-3) held her ground in third place overall. Owner Christoph Avenarius said he is “happy with Nini’s boat speed, but plans to fine-tune crew performance with additional training prior to the Worlds.”

Mikael “Mikke” Stelander, skipper of Vanity V (K-5) whose team finished 4th overall noted: “KSSS made the correct decision to cancel the final day of racing; it is better to not risk breakdowns or injuries heading into the World Championship.”  When back in Helsinki, Vanity V’s Finnish crew hopes their local knowledge will help to move them up in the standings.

Vim (US-15) owner and Vice President of the International Twelve Metre Association Patrick Howaldt said: “The Pre Worlds were extremely well organized by KSSS with immaculate race management in interesting and varying conditions giving the competition the best possible training experience.”

Now headed to Helsinki, these 12mR crews can expect even more competitive racing when Blue Marlin (FIN-1), Jenetta (K-1) and Vema III (N-11) join them on the starting line at the 2021 EVLI 12mR World Championship from August 14-21.

(end)

(results below)

2021 12 Metre Pre-Worlds Results:
August 4-6, 2021

12mR – Vintage (6  Boats)

1. Vim (US-15), Helmuth Henning, Patrick Howaldt & Ditley Wedell Wedellsborg, Copenhagen, DK – 3-1-1-(-2)-1-2-1-2; 11

2. Wings of Coves (K-15), Philipp Skafte-Holm, Copenhagen, DK (with Finnish & Danish crew) – 2-(3)-3-1-2-1-2-1; 12

3. Nini Anker (N-15), Christoph Avenarius, Hamburg, DE – 1-2-2-(3)-3-3-3-3; 17

4. Vanity V (K-5), Mikael Stelander, Helsinki, FI – 4-4-4-4-4-4-(7 DNF)-7 DNF; 31

6. Thea (D-1), Jacob Holst, Copenhagen, DK – 6-5-6-6-5-5-4-(7 DNF); 37

5. Flica II (K-14), Alexander Falk, Hamburg, DE – 5-6-5-5-6-(7 DNF)-5-7 DNS; 39

2021 12mR Worlds Competitors list here

Pre-Worlds RESULTS link

Pre-Worlds EVENT link

###

The 2021 EVLI 12 Metre World Championship is presented by EVLI Bank.

Supporting Day Sponsors:

Baltic Yachts, Keisari, Normet, Red Sky Yachts, Roschier, Scandic and Stanton Chase.

Product & Service Providers:

Brandscape, Delicatessen, Fazer, Fiskars Group, Helsinki Helsingfors, Interbrands, Järvikylän, Jouko Lindgren, Kruunu Herkku, NOHO Nordic Hospitality Partners, North Sails, Sassan Ruokakassi, Suomen Jäätelö, Veikko Laine, Villi, and Windlass Creative

More About Our Partners

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL 12 METRE CLASS
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). www.12mrclass.com

For more information on the 12 Metre Worlds visit https://12mrworlds.com/

Follow us on Facebook #12MetreWorlds2021, @12mRWorldChampionship

CONTACTS:
Event Chairman
Henrik Andersin

Media Inquires
Kim Weckström

International 12 Metre Class
SallyAnne Santos

12mR Pre-Worlds Competition Heats Up at KSSS Saltsjobaden – Sandhamn Regatta

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2021 12 Metre World Championship, Helsinki Finland

Editors’ Note:

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KSSS Yacht Club

2021 12 Metre PRE-World Championship:

Competition Heats Up at KSSS Saltsjöbaden – Sandhamn Regatta

12mRs Vim (US-15) and Nini Anker (N-15) racing downwind at the 12mR Pre-World Championship at KSS Saltsjobaden - Sandhamn Regatta
12mRs Vim (US-15) and Nini Anker (N-15) (with borrowed spinnaker DEN-12) racing downwind at the 12mR Pre-World Championship at KSSS Saltsjobaden – Sandhamn Regatta. photo: Kim Weckström

Vim (US-15) with narrow lead; Nini Anker (N-15) nipping at her heels

STOCKHOLM, SE (August 5, 2021): The World Championship fleet of Vintage 12mR yachts arrived at Stockholm (SE) earlier this week after traveling more than 600 nm on their own keels from Flensburg and Copenhagen. The six 12mRs are now competing at KSSS’s Saltsjöbaden – Sandhamn Regatta for Pre-Worlds honors.

Day One featured a coastal distance race sailed in moderate winds from Stockholm to Sandhamn through the spectacular archipelago to the historic sailing center of Sweden’s east coast. The 12mRs raced among a fleet of Swedish classics which included: the 73-ft, SK 150 Beatrice Aurore (S-1) the largest surviving Skerry Cruiser and Ballad (S-236), a 63-ft Sparkman & Stephens offshore racer. Class newcomer Nini Anker (N-1) and Wings (K-15) crossed the finish line in tandem after a nearly 3-hour race with Vim (US-15) just 29 seconds behind.

On Day Two, 3 Windward / Leeward races were sailed in a shifty 5-9 knot breeze that suited Vim (US-15) who won the day 1-1-(2). Nini Anker (N-15) scored a close second for the day with 2-2-(3) and Wings (K-15) took a daily third with 3-(3)-1. Though not immediately revealed by their results, the Finnish-chartered Vanity V (K-5) team also raced very well, matching long stretches with the top finishers.

Patrick Howaldt, Vim (US-15) owner and Vice President of the International Twelve Metre Association representing the Northern Europe fleet said he is pleased to have 2 “new” 12mR programs in the Baltic. “Racing has become increasingly intense and close – it will be even more so in Helsinki when Jenetta (K-1) joins the competitive fleet at the 2021 EVLI 12mR World Championship.“  He credited Vim’s early success in the Pre-Worlds to fine-tuning focused on improving US-15’s performance in light-air– conditions that he noted had previously proven challenging for this team.

The 103-year-old Thea (D-1), grand dame of the 12mR Class has added another 4 starts to her prolific racing history while keeping in step with her younger sisters on the racecourse. The exuberant Flica II (K-15) team, one of youngest in the history of the Class, has brought fun to the event both on and off the water. At the KSSS’s Lökholmen youth sailing center they entertained party-goers with an ad hoc 12mR rig-climbing competition and Zorba-style Greek dancing.

Two more days of racing will ensue in Sandhamn before the fleet sets sail to Helsinki, where they are eagerly awaited by Blue Marlin (FIN-1), owned by 12mR Worlds Chairman Henrik Andersin. Andersin, along with his Committee have planned a spectacular Championship regatta despite much uncertainty over the past 2+ years.

Meanwhile, Vema III (N-11) has embarked on her own epic 400+ nm Nordic voyage from Olso (NO) to the starting line at Helsinki.

If the first two days of these closely-contested Pre-Worlds are any indication, extremely competitive racing will continue throughout the remaining 2 days of the Pre-Worlds and onward at the 2021 EVLI 12mR World Championship from August 14-21 in Helsinki, Finland.

(end)

(results below)

2021 12 Metre Pre-Worlds Results:
August 4-5, 2021

12mR – Vintage (6  Boats)

1. Vim (US-15), Helmuth Henning, Patrick Howaldt & Ditley Wedell Wedellsborg, Copenhagen, DK – 3-1-1-(-2); 5

2. Nini Anker (N-15), Christoph Avenarius, Hamburg, DE – 1-2-2-(3); 5

3. Wings of Coves (K-15), Philipp Skafte-Holm, Copenhagen, DK (with Finnish & Danish crew) – 2-(3)-3-1 ; 6

4. Vanity V (K-5), Mikael Stelander,  Helsinki, FI – 4-(4)-4-4; 12

5. Flica II (K-14), Alexander Falk, Hamburg, DE – 5-(6)-5-5; 15

6. Thea (D-1), Jacob Holst, Copenhagen, DK – 6-5-(6)-6; 17

 

2021 12mR Worlds Competitors list here

Pre-Worlds RESULTS link

Pre-Worlds EVENT link

 

###

 

The 2021 EVLI 12 Metre World Championship is presented by EVLI Bank.

Supporting Day Sponsors:

Baltic Yachts, Keisari, Normet, Red Sky Yachts, Roschier, Scandic and Stanton Chase.

Product & Service Providers:

Brandscape, Delicatessen, Fazer, Fiskars Group, Helsinki Helsingfors, Interbrands, Järvikylän, Jouko Lindgren, Kruunu Herkku, NOHO Nordic Hospitality Partners, North Sails, Sassan Ruokakassi, Suomen Jäätelö, Veikko Laine, Villi, and Windlass Creative

More About Our Partners

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL 12 METRE CLASS
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). www.12mrclass.com

For more information on the 12 Metre Worlds visit https://12mrworlds.com/

Follow us on Facebook #12MetreWorlds2021, @12mRWorldChampionship

CONTACTS:
Event Chairman
Henrik Andersin

Media Inquires
Kim Weckström

International 12 Metre Class
SallyAnne Santos

2021 12mR Worlds COVID-19 Update: 7/27/21

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2021 12 Metre World Championship, Helsinki Finland

FROM: JOANNA CATANI
TO: 2021 12mR WORLDS COMPETITORS
DATE: July 27, 2021
RE: COVID-19 Protocol

Dear 12mR Sailors,

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2021 EVLI 12mR World Championship in just 18 days! Our efforts continue to ensure a safe environment for you, your crews and families. 

The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) continues to monitor the Covid-19 situation; the latest information on traveling and testing can be found here.

Below you will find updates and additional links to help you enjoy your visit to Helsinki.

Suomen Ilmakuva / Helsinki Marketing
photo by: Suomen Ilmakuva / Helsinki Marketing

TRAVELING TO AND FROM FINLAND

Internal border control has ended on 26 July. This means that travelling from the EU and Schengen countries to Finland is allowed without restrictions.

If you are arriving outside of EU and Schengen countries:
  • You may enter Finland from all countries IF:
    • You have been fully vaccinated (twice) and it has been at least 14 days since second vaccination. Be prepared to show vaccination document, in English, at the border.
    • If you have had Covid-19 within the the past 6 months
    • Special groups are admitted –such as representatives of culture, sports and business life. The Organizing Committee has informed Finland’s border control about our event.

If you’d like to take a Coronavirus test when entering Finland, we recommend that you register with Finentry. It is a service for travelers to obtain a Coronavirus test in Finland free of charge. You may book an appointment for testing a maximum of 7 days in advance.

When leaving Finland:
  • Follow the instructions imposed by your destination country.
  • If you require a PCR-test, please contact the Service Desk for booking assistance.

BASIC RULES & HYGIENE PRACTICES

  • Disinfectant dispensers will be available at the NJK throughout the week
  • All contact surfaces such as door handles and taps are regularly disinfected
  • We remind all participants to:
    • Wash your hands regularly
    • Keep 1.5 metre social distance
    • Cough or sneeze into a paper towel or the inside of your elbow
    • If you have any symptoms such as cough, fever or nausea contact health authorities right away. The Service Desk or Hotel Reception will help you with this.
    • Latest Covid-19 updates are found here.
Kuvatoimisto Kuvio Oy / Helsinki Marketing
photo by: Kuvatoimisto Kuvio Oy / Helsinki Marketing
WEARING A MASK:
  • While not mandatory In Finland, many people wear masks while indoors at public places such as department stores, shops, restaurants and on public transportation
  • Please respect the recommendations of the shopkeepers and owners of establishments
  • Extra masks will be available at NJK.
SHOPS:
RESTAURANTS:
  • Restaurants, bars and cafes are open to public, so you can fully enjoy the Finnish hospitality after the race day.
  • Check out the Social Program and make reservations with some of our Partner restaurants
  • Ask for recommendations at the Service Desk
Mikko Huotari / Helsinki Marketing
photo by: Mikko Huotari / Helsinki Marketing
HOTEL:
  • Hotel Scandic has a Covid protocol in place to make your stay as comfortable as possible
  • At this time, it appears that hotels will be functioning pretty “normally” in August.

Finally, you may be confident that the 12mR Worlds Event Committee will continue to do our utmost to ensure a safe experience for everyone.

Please do not hesitate to contact Johanna Catani with any enquiries.

We look forward to welcoming you to Helsinki soon!

Johanna Catani
Social Responsibility

Flica II (K-14), The “First” America’s Cup 12mR?

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Designed by Laurent Giles to the 12mR Third Rule, Flica II (K-14) was the last yacht built at the 140-year-old W. Fife & Son boatyard when she slid down the rails in 1939. Although she was the last from the famed yard, arguably Flica II (K-14) was the first 12mR built for the modern Americas’ Cup era.

Flica II (K-14) heading to the weather mark. photo by: Kim Weckström
Flica II (K-14) heading to the weather mark. photo by: Kim Weckström

In 1928 Sir Richard Fairey and designer Charles Nicholson had undertaken extensive research and development to create a new 12 Metre Class racing yacht, the result had been the Second Rule Flica (K-16). With Fairey at the helm, her racing success was unparalleled and Flica was considered to be the “best” 12mR of the day.

Hugh Goodson purchased K-16 in 1934 and continued her racing success through 1938. He too had 12mR America’s Cup ambitions when he commissioned Flica II (K-14). She raced in very good company with other 12s designed by the leading J-Class designers of her time including William Fife’s Vanity V (K-5), Alfred Mylne’s Jenetta (K-1), Charles Nicholson’s Tomahawk (K-13) and Olin Stephen’s Vim (US-15). Flica II had the benefit of many design innovations including tank testing, aluminum spars, rudder trim tabs, rod rigging and coffee grinder-style winches.

DSC09672
Flica II (K-14) crew displaying teamwork at a mark rounding. photo by: Kim Weckström

Finally, in 1958 the New York Yacht Club accepted the first post-War America’s Cup Challenge from the Royal Yacht Squadron syndicate led by Hugh Goodson. Flica II (K-14) had been tested against Evaine (K-2) and Sceptre (K-17), but ultimately it was Sceptre that Goodson raced as the first 12mR Challenger versus Olin Stephen’s Columbia (US-16) who successfully defended the America’s Cup that year.

In the intervening years, Flica II has passed between a dozen owners, along the way she won the 12mR Class at Cowes Week in 1958 and the Royal Thames Yacht Club Queen’s Cup in 1961. An engine was installed in 1964 when she was converted to an auxiliary yawl. In 1968 her mast was moved forward; a doghouse and portholes were installed and she cruised as an auxiliary ketch until she disappeared from the Lloyd’s Register in 1978. In 1989, Robert Tiedeman rescued her from abandonment on a Caribbean shore. He salvaged and sold her to Bruno Pozzi who provided a complete restoration at Camper & Nicholson— only the keel, rudder and some original planking remained. From 1993-99, while owned by Stefano and Francesca Tanzi, she enjoyed racing success in the Mediterranean including winning the Coppa Europa in 1995.

Flica II (K-14) racing with Vanity V (K-5). photo by: Kim Weckström
Flica II (K-14) racing with Vanity V (K-5). photo by: Kim Weckström

In 2000, Alexander Falk purchased Flica II and brought her to Hamburg (DE) to join ITMA’s Northern European fleet. She has since been meticulously maintained and continues to compete successfully in both the Baltic and Mediterranean fleets. With her distinctive black hull and sails she is a striking standout in the Vintage division.

This year, Flica II will have another chance to prove herself versus contemporaries Vanity V (K-5), Jenetta (K-1), Vim (US-15) and Blue Marlin (FIN-1) —all of whom she will meet again at the 2021 Evli 12mR World Championship at Helsinki (FN) from August 14-22.

Thea (D-1), Undisputed Grand Dame of the 775-Year-Old Evli 12mR World Championship Fleet

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With combined ages totaling 775 years, Thea (D-1) at 103 years-young will be the Grand Dame amid a fleet of relative “youngsters” ranging in age from just 82-88 years-old at the 2021 Evli 12mR World Championship.

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Thea (D-1) and Wings (K-15) Racing in Dyvig, Denmark. photo: Kim Weckström

Designed by prolific naval architect Johan Anker, Santa (N-4) as she was first named, was built according to a proposed S-Class formula in 1918. When the Second International Rule was adopted in 1919, her design was modified to conform. For the first half of her life, she sailed under the flag of Norway with an impressive sister-fleet of 12mRs also designed by Anker including Vema III (N-11).

For more than a century, Thea (D-1) has had the great luck to be impeccably maintained by each of only four owners—Jacob Stolt Nielsen, Leif Høegh, Ebbe Wedell-Wedellsborg and Hans Michael Jebsen. Owing to their diligence and care, Thea has never required a complete restoration, something very few other vintage yachts of any design can boast. Now owned by father, Hans Michael Jebsen and son, Immanuel Jebsen, Thea (ex-Santa and ex-Nina) has been actively racing on the classic circuit and as a part of the 12mR fleet far longer than most of her competitors.

Purchased by Hans Michael Jebsen and ITMA Vice President, Patrick Howaldt in 1998, Thea (D-1) was the centerpiece around which the now-successful Baltic 12mR fleet was built. In 2001, she was one of three Nordic twelves that sailed in the historic 36-yacht 12mR fleet at the America’s Cup Jubilee held at Cowes (UK). Thea’s crew (and others) saw the potential for a large Vintage 12mR fleet racing at spectacular events throughout Northern Europe. With this vision in mind, Howaldt went on a 12mR shopping spree, co-purchasing Vanity V (K-5), Vim (US-15) and Wings (K-15) with groups of friends thereby sparking a catalyst for the rapid expansion of the 12mR fleet in Northern waters.

DSC09505
Thea (D-1), Kiwi Magic (KZ-7), Vanity (K-5), Flica II (K-14) and Vim (US-15) starting in Dyvig. photo: Kim Weckström

Hans Michael Jebsen says that he is looking forward to a great event in Helsinki. “The clubs in Helsinki have a fantastic tradition of organizing Metre regattas and we are happy that the 12mR fleet will meet at NJK. We hope that the event will further propel the development of the 12mR Class in the Baltics. For us as an early Second Rule boat, it will be challenging to keep up with the “youngsters” — but we look forward to fun and competition and will try to beat them all on the handicap!” The Jebsens and crew have good reason to be hopeful about Thea’s results, she has consistently won regattas based on the Baltic Handicap system including the Risør Træbåds Festival for three years running– 2016, 2017 and 2018. Her 12mR World Championship record includes a 13th place finish in the Classic division at Cowes (2001) and a 6th place finish in the Vintage division at Flensburg (2016).

More Info here