We look forward to welcoming syndicate head Patrizio Bertelli and his team to Helsinki, Finland from August 14-22, when they will compete at the 2021 12mR World Championship with Nyala (US-12), their reigning 12mR Vintage Division World Champion.
The 2021 12mR Worlds Committee wishes the best of luck to Team Luna Rossa Challenge in Auckland!
Historic America’s Cup Defenders and Iconic Sailing Conditions Converge
Competing yachts gathered dockside at 2019 12 Metre Worlds in Newport, Rhode Island. ~ Photo Credit: Ian Roman
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, USA (December 2, 2020) – Following the resounding success of the 2019 12mR World Championship held in Newport, R.I., the International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA) has again selected America’s City by the Sea as the venue for the 2022 12mR World Championship. “We expect an enthusiastic response and a strong turnout by our dedicated 12mR fleet members who always relish sailing out of Newport,” said ITMA President Paul Buttrose.
Scheduled for September 19-24, 2022, the regatta will be held during the traditional 12 Metre sailing season established during 25 years (1958-1983) of America’s Cup competition in the waters off Newport, R.I. Many of the 12s competing were specifically designed for Rhode Island Sound’s early autumn weather conditions. Set against the same backdrop, the 2022 event will re-kindle iconic America’s Cup competition between numerous Auld Mug Defenders including US-16 Columbia (1958), US-17 Weatherly (1962), US-22 Intrepid (1967 & 1970), US-26 Courageous (1974 & 1977) and US-30 Freedom (1980).
2019’s 12mR World Champion (Traditional Division), Columbia (US-16) will defend her title, led by 12 Meter Charters’ owner Kevin Hegarty ~ Photo Credit: Chris Tucker
The 12 Metre Yacht Club Newport Station, the official home of ITMA’s North American 12mR fleet, will coordinate all event activities in partnership with Ida Lewis Yacht Club, repeating their award-winning* Race Management role. Ida Lewis Yacht Club’s current Vice Commodore, Steven MacGillivray said: “Ida Lewis Yacht Club is pleased to be the Organizing Authority for the 2022 12 Metre World Championship. Our Race Committee, Flag Officers and membership look forward to an exciting and fair regatta for all competitors.”
After several changes of ownership throughout the 12mR fleet, a new guard of Modern Division teams will meet on the Worlds racecourse. They include Enterprise (US-27), raced by Peter Askew’s renowned “Wizard” team and Freedom (US-30), now owned by the accomplished “Sled” team’s Takashi Okura. In the Grand Prix Division, 2019 Worlds second and third place winners — Patricio Bertelli’s Kookaburra II (KA-12) and Gunther Buerman’s New Zealand (KZ-3)– will again face-off for the top podium position.
Recent 12mR World Champions expected to defend their titles include 2019 Modern Division winner—Challenge XII (KA-10), owned by Jack LeFort, who also serves as Commodore for the 12 Metre Yacht Club Newport Station. “There is new energy and great momentum building in the 12mR Class,” said LeFort. “In Newport, we are excited to return to the race course to compete with old rivals and new challengers next season and through the 2022 Worlds.”
Enterprise (US-27) and Challenge XII (KA-10) vie for position while Freedom (US-30) nips at their heels during the 2019 12mR World Championship in Newport, R.I. ~ photo credit: Ian Roman
In the interim, all eyes are on Helsinki where the 2021 12mR World Championship will be hosted by Finland’s premier yacht club, the Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK) from August 12-24, 2021.
The 2021 12mR World Championship, organized by NJK will be held on August 14th-22nd in Helsinki, Finland. At this time, we are proactively planning for the possibility that continued pandemic restrictions may limit the scope of our events. Therefore, the core Championship will consist of a 12mR Worlds sailing regatta only. Registration fees will be adjusted accordingly to reflect a reduction in social activities.
Registration for the 2021 12mR World Championship Regatta:
For those who have already registered for the 2020 event, re-registration is not required. Please review your current registration. New entries should register here. The updated Notice of Race with adjusted fees, and a new registration link will soon follow.
Registrations for the 2021 12mR World Championship Social Program:
In the case of eliminated or reduced pandemic-related restrictions, we are also planning a more extensive program of social events. We certainly hope that this will be the case and will announce details as circumstances develop, likely in mid-late spring 2021.
The 2021 12mR World Championship Committee will provided additional information re: new lower registration fees, accommodation alternatives and other event-related information in the near future. In the meantime…
I hope that you all stay safe and healthy,
Henrik Andersin, Chairman
2021 12mR World Championship Organizing Committee
Dear registered owners and crews of the 12mrR Worlds 2020,
Due to the worldwide prolonged travel restrictions and curfews caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, the organizing committee of the 12mR Worlds 2020 and the International Twelve Metre Association have decided to postpone the event. The organizing yacht club NJK welcome participants on August 14th to 22nd to the Worlds 2021, which will coincide with the 160th anniversary of the club.
All registration fees will be reimbursed. Participants are kindly asked to cancel their hotel reservations as soon as possible. We are sorry for the unfortunate circumstances, but look forward to a great event in 2021.
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak we have postponed the deadline for the 6400€ 12 Metre Worlds entry fee from March the 15th to April 30th 2020. All registration and hotel reservation fees will be refundable until then.
We all hope that the outbreak will recede as soon as possible, but in the case of a prolongment, we are in the process of negotiating a postponement of the last hotel reservation cancelation date until May 31st.
We will keep you posted and hope for all the best,
Henrik Andersin, Chairman 12 Metre 2020 World Championship Committee
