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CONTACTS: Bernard Minvielle, ITMA Vice President, Southern European fleet; Soazig Gueho, Porquerolles YC Press Officer; SallyAnne Santos, International 12mR Class (ITMA) Communications Director
2024 WORLDS NOTICE OF RACE POSTED:
12MR CHAMPIONSHIP RACING RETURNS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN
NEWPORT, RI (January 31, 2024) – The International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA) is pleased to announce the publication of the 2024 Notice of Race for the 12mR World Championship* hosted and organized by the Porquerolles Yacht Club (YCP) to be sailed in the harbor of Porquerolles (FR) from June 17-23, 2024. (*note: English version begins on PDF page 8/14)
According to a recent YCP press release: “The 12m JI, historic class of the America’s Cup, for which they competed from 1958 to 1987, have become over the years the kings of the Cup. The Race Committee is planning “constructed” (windward-leeward or coastal) courses, very simple but technical to impose strategic choices representing the pinnacle of yacht racing for this high-level competition.” (translated from French)
“It is a real source of pride for the Porquerolles Yacht Club to have been chosen to organize this world championship.” ~ Aurélie Lhuillier, Porquerolles Yacht Club Director
Originating as an Olympic Class in 1906, the International 12mR Class incorporates a number of age-based Divisions to accommodate the 116 years of evolution in yacht design, construction, materials and technology that is seen in the preserved and restored survivors of the premiere America’s Cup development Class.
Closely contested racing in both the oldest (Vintage: 1920-1939) and newest (Grand Prix: 1983-87) divisions is expected. In the Vintage division, the Baltic-based reigning 12mR World Champion Vim (US-15) will be on hand to defend their 2021 title; Flica II (K-14), Jenetta (K-1), Northern Light (US-14) and Thea (D-1) are also headed south with the Vintage Scandinavian squad from the Northern European fleet.
“We are looking forward to racing at Porqureolles and I am happy that we will have a good number of 12mRs from the N. European fleet participating throughout the Med this season.” ~ Patrick Howaldt, Vim (US-15) reigning 12mR Vintage Division World Champion (Helsinki, FI 2021)
French Kiss (F-7) helmsman, Marc Pajot said: “We anticipate great competition in the Grand Prix division with boats from the 1987 America’s Cup era.” These include: Crusader II (K-25), Kiwi Magic (KZ-7), Kookaburra II (KA-12) and South Australia (KA-8).
“All of the crews are very motivated.; the site of the bay of Hyères and Porquerolles is very popular with everyone and we can’t wait to get back there” ~ Marc Pajot
Other World Sailing-sanctioned 12mR Divisions, identified in The 12mR Rule Appendix E are: Antique (1906-1920), Traditional (1950-1967) and Modern (1967-1983). Local favorite, France (F-1) will represent the Modern division. A 12mR Spirit group comprised of original but not-measured 12mRs of all divisions will be formed if more than 2 yachts of this description register for the event—these will be scored separately from World Championship competitors.
“It is fantastic to see the activity of the Southern European fleet in the Mediterranean. There is no better way to celebrate than the 12 Metre World Championship arranged by the Yacht Club De Porquerolle and the Yacht Club De France!” ~ Chris Winter, ITMA President
The 2024 12mR World Championship, the America’s Cup Legends 12mR Regatta and many other distinguished events are all part of the Yacht Club de France’s prestigious Coupe de France Series that spans the 2023-34 sailing seasons.
Event organizers strongly recommend early registration and booking of accommodation due to limited availability. Registrations received after March 15 will incur a 15% penalty.
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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 PORQUEROLLES YACHT CLUB 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).
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YCP CONTACTS:
Director:
YC de Porquerolles
Aurélie Lhuillier
yachtclub-porquerolles@wanadoo.fr
+33 4 94 58 34 49
Press Officer:
YC de Porquerolles
Soazig Gueho
soazig@palolemcom.com
+33 6 62 08 74 44
ITMA CONTACTS:
Vice President:
12mR Fleet, Southern Europe
Bernard Minvielle
b.minvielle@wanadoo.fr
+33 611 19 00 95
Communications Director:
International 12 Metre Class
SallyAnne Santos
ITMAcommunications@gmail.com
+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
social:
12mR Worlds Facebook:
@12MetreWorldChampionship
ITMA Facebook:
@12mRClass
12mR Worlds Instagram
@12mRWorldChampionship
ITMA Instagram:
@12metreclass
ITMA YouTube:
@International12mR
hashtags:
#12mRClass, #12mRWorlds, #202412mRWorldsPorquerolles, #YachtClubdeFrance, #CoupedeFrance, #PorquerollesYC, #InternationalTwelveMetreAssociation, #12mR, #12Meter, #12Metre, #12mRracing, #PorquerollesFrance