#NJK – Page 3 – 12 Metre Worlds

Raised from the depths, Jenetta is poised to continue her ascent to the 2021 12mR Worlds podium

Posted on June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 by WindlassCreative

Jenetta (K-1) boasts the longest waterline in the 12mR Vintage fleet. photo: Robbe & Berking — Jenetta (K-1) boasts the longest waterline in the Vintage fleet. photo: Robbe & Berking

From the drafting table of renowned Scots naval architect Alfred Mylne and launched in 1939, Jenetta (K-1), design #395 was one of four 12mRs commissioned by Sir William Burton. An accomplished gentleman sailor and president of the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU, now World Sailing), Burton had served as helmsman on Sir Thomas Lipton’s J-Class Shamrock IV for the 1920 America’s Cup.

Jenetta (K-1) joined the English 12mR racing scene at Cowes (GB) along with Tomahawk (K-13), Flica II (K-14) and Vim (US-15). With her long waterline K-1 was fast, but Vim with Harold Vanderbilt at the helm was nearly unbeatable. On only one occasion did Jenetta prevail when she won a 27 nm race by just 2 seconds!

After Burton’s death in 1942, Jenetta’s ownership passed to A.W. Steven and in 1953 to the Urry family of Vancouver (CA) who converted her to a ketch in 1957. As her condition progressively declined throughout the 1960s-70s she was removed from Lloyd’s Register in 1976 and sank into Pitt Lake where she remained until…

Jenetta emerging from the bottom of Lake Pitt (CA) in 2009 and from Robbe & Berking Shipyard (DE) in 2019. photos: courtesy Robbe & Berking — *Jenetta* emerging from the bottom of Lake Pitt (CA) in 2009 (left) and from Robbe & Berking Shipyard (DE) in 2019 (right). photos: Robbe & Berking

Rescued by Oliver Berking in 2009 Jenetta became the third 12mR brought back to life at the Robbe & Berking Shipyard. Work began in 2017 and she was relaunched on May 25, 2019. Although only her lead keel, some planking and end sections of her deck and hull were saved, original Mylne designs were used to rebuild parts that were irretrievably lost. Since her “re-birth” she has proved to be as fast as originally envisioned by Mylne. With her long sleek waterline and unique tartan* plaid topsides (representing the University of Glasgow, Mylne’s alma mater) she is a head-turner!

JenettaRacing — *Jenetta* racing to weather. photo: Robbe & Berking

Now, with state-of-the-art deck layouts, hardware and sail plans throughout the Vintage fleet, Vim no longer has the Vanderbilt advantage. For the past 2 seasons, Jenetta has been very competitive with the top 12s in the Baltic fleet. Heading for the 2021 12mR Worlds, Jenetta current owners and crew have high expectations.

Visit the Jenetta website for more information about (K-1) and her team.

View short but stunning Jenetta rebuild video by Robbe & Berking

After 80 Years, Nini Anker is Ready to Race the Fleet She Was Designed to Meet.

Posted on May 20, 2021May 20, 2021 by WindlassCreative

Nini Anker (N-15) in her racing debut at Flensburg, 2020. ~ photo by: ----- — *Nini Anker* (N-15) in her racing debut at Flensburg, 2020.

Famed Norwegian yacht designer Johan Anker may be smiling down on Helsinki this summer when three of his 12mR designs—Vema III (N-11), Thea (D-1) and Nini Anker (N-15) finally meet on the racecourse at the 2021 12mR World Championship.

“In the world of classical boat enthusiasts Johan Anker (1871 – 1940) is known as a master of elegant ship lines who achieved an outstanding reputation in his period of activity not only as designer and builder of many successful yachts but also as successful sailor”. – Robbe & Berking Classics

Anker Design #434, now named Nini Anker (N-15) was the last of 20 twelves conceived by the prolific naval architect in 1939. The onset of World War II and Anker’s subsequent passing prevented his ultimate design from being realized at that time. It was not until 2011 that Erik Tingleff Larsen commissioned Robbe & Berking Classics to build the yacht based on original plans retrieved from the Johan Anker Foundation collection at Oslo’s Norwegian Maritime Museum.

Nini Anker (N-15) was meticulously built to her original specifications by master craftsmen at Robbe & Berking Classics. -- photo courtesy: Robbe & Berking — *Nini Anker* (N-15) was meticulously built by master craftsmen at Robbe & Berking Classics. ~ photo courtesy: Robbe & Berking

The beautifully-built, mahogany-hulled masterpiece, initially named Siesta (DEN-1) was launched in 2013. Unfortunately, due to her experimental spars she was not able to “measure-in” as a true 12mR under the International Class Rule. Sadly, Larsen’s poor health and death in 2016 kept #434 off of the water until her current owners purchased and refitted her to comply with 12mR measurements. Finally, after 81 years, Nini Anker (N-15) made her racing debut at Flensburg in 2020.

Nini Roll Anker at Sea. ~ photo courtesy Large Norwegian Encyclopedia Why “Nini Anker”?
Johan Anker’s wife, Nini Roll Anker, was a famous Norwegian author in her own right. A staunch republican with socialist sympathies she was sometimes called the “communist in residence” at the court of Norway. The Ankers were close to the Royal family and served as second parents to the young Crown Prince Olav, who was a great friend to their son Erik. (Nini’s maiden name, “Roll” is not included in the yacht’s current name due to limited space on her narrow transom.)

Nini Roll Anker at Sea. ~ courtesy: Great Norwegian Encyclopedia

We have briefly raced against some of the German and Danish boats in August last year and are excited to compete in our first full season after long winter months with enormous modifications and improvements. The boat is a beauty and would definitely win a ‘Miss’ contest.”— N-15 Syndicate member, Dirk Lohmann

Nini’ Anker’s World Championship debut at Helsinki will certainly be followed with great interest by her many admirers including 12mR enthusiasts, historians and all lovers of classic yachts. In addition to meeting her Anker sister ships– Vema III (N-11) and Thea (D-1), she will compete with 12s that she would likely have met at Cowes Week and Hankø in 1940– if only she had been built.

For more information about Nini Anker (N-15) and her team, contact Dirk Lohmann

Vema III: Sailing Under the Flag of Norway for 88 Years & Counting!

Posted on May 3, 2021 by WindlassCreative

13th July 2019. Parade of Sail, 12m World Championship, Newport, RI, USA. — *Vema III* (N-11) proudly shows her colors in the 2019 12mR Worlds Parade ~ Photo: Ian Roman

Designed and built by renowned Norwegian naval architect Johan Anker, Vema III (N-11) was among the last of 20 Twelves envisioned at his drafting table. During her 1933 launch season she campaigned successfully at the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee as well as at Cowes Week. Impressively, N-11 has been actively sailing for 88 years and has the notable distinction of being the only 12mR to sail under the Norwegian flag throughout her entire lifetime.

Commissioned by Norwegian-American shipbuilder Georg Unger Vetlesen, Vema III was the “little boat” to his 300-ton schooner Vema II. During World War II, N-11 was Nazi war-prey in occupied Norway. After he war she raced well into the 1950’s with the lively Oslo Fjord fleet consisting primarily of Blue Marlin, Santa, Figaro VI, and Norsaga (now Trivia).

11th July 2019. Day Three of the 12m World Championship, Newport, RI, USA. — A beautiful bird’s eye view of *Vema III* running down to the leeward mark. ~ Photo: Ian Roman

After the decline of 12mR sailing in the late 50’s, Vema III remained in Norway as the only active boat in her Class. By 1979, new owners Tor Jøgen Dahl and Lars Christian Dahl noticed the corrosion of key structural elements in need of prompt attention and started her preservation. In 1999 TJ Dahl with new owner Einar Nagel Erichsen undertook a more extensive restoration.

Since 2006, Vema III has been owned by a group of 10 sailors who share a keen interest in 12mR sailing and her notable Norwegian designer, Johan Anker. Together, N-11’s team strive to keep their “pride & joy” in perfect condition and consider her to be one of the best-preserved 12mR yachts in the world. Syndicate lead, Johan Troye said, “We look very much forward to racing in the waters of Helsinki and being part of the most spectacular fleet of 12mRs in the world.”

2019 12 Metre World Championship — *Vema III* (N-11) racing in the 2019 12 Metre Worlds at Newport, RI ~ Photo: SallyAnne Santos

To this day, Vema III continues as a seasoned racer and was one of four boats shipped from Europe to the 2019 Worlds at Newport, RI (USA). In Helsinki this summer, Vema III will meet her “baby sister” Nini Anker (N-12) in their first Worlds-encounter. (Now named for Johan’s famed wife Nini, Anker’s last design #434 was built and launched in 2013 at the Robbe Berking boatyard, and originally named Siesta (DEN-14).)

Vanity V: HSS Commodore Mikael Stelander and 8mR Crew Jump on the 12mR Bandwagon

Posted on April 15, 2021 by WindlassCreative

Vannity 1 — *Vanity V* (K-5) and *Flica II* (K-14) racing at the European Championship, Marstrand 2019 ~ Photo: Kim Weckström

In addition to the largest-ever gathering of 12mRs in the Nordics, another historic first will be seen at the 2021 Worlds at Helsinki where three competitors will sail under the Finnish flag. And when Vanity V (K-5) skippered by HSS (Helsinki Sailing Society) Commodore Mikael Stelander joins Wings (K-15) and Blue Marlin (FIN-1) on the race course, a classic showdown between local yacht clubs HSS and NJK will be set in motion.

Racing together since 2010, Commodore Stelander’s 8mR Ilderim* team are hopeful that their mR sailing skills will translate successfully when they race Vanity V (K-5) at the 12mR Worlds.

Stelander and team are excited to race K-5 at the Worlds and to meet new friends in the 12mR community of sailors. “We had an immediate connection with Vanity V as she is of the same vintage as Ilderim,” said Stelander. “Since we are newcomers to 12mR sailing, we don’t expect to be as competitive as in our 8mR fleet— but we will enjoy every good tack, nailing the layline and any opportunity to pass a fellow 12mR competitor,” he added.

Vanity V (K-5) was one of the last designs by William Fife III, who was 79 years old when she was launched in 1936. Her first owner, J.R. “Fiddler” Pane was both an accomplished violinist and a successful helmsman who had enjoyed previous success with Vanity (K-1) (1923). A true yachtsman, Pane lived onboard, raced and cruised his boats extensively. By 1938, Vanity V was the only Fife design still active in the Class. Although struggling with poor health, Pane managed to put up a good fight in light and medium winds. Of ten starts he took 1 first, 1 second and 3 thirds, but ultimately it was Trivia (K-10) who prevailed that season.

Following a long racing career in the UK and the Med, Vanity V was completely rebuilt by Guy Ribadeau Dumas while owned by Robert Daral and Jean-Poul Guillet. She finished 6th in the Classic division of the 2001 America’s Cup Jubilee at Cowes, England; 5th in the Vintage division of the 2008 12mR Worlds at Flensburg, Germany and won the 12mR America’s Cup Regatta at Valencia, Spain in 2007.

Vanity V (K-5) Crew, 2021 12mR World Championship:

Mikael Stelander (Syndicate lead)
Jusku Mikkonen
Staffan Tallqvist
Tuomo Meretniemi
Pekka Raatikainen
John Björkbom
Juha Tolsa
Jukka Halminen
Jussi Sorsimo
Kari Loukola
Masa Anttila
Mikko Uusitalo
Panu Toppinen
Tommi Uksila
Jens Zachariassen

*Ilderim (FIN-16), is a famous Tore Holm design that debuted at the 1936 Olympic Games in Kiel. Although she was slated for a podium position, she was disqualified on controversial grounds by the German hosts. Since that time, her owners and crews have enjoyed many successful racing seasons.

“New” Vintage & Antique Trophies to Debut at 2021 Worlds

Posted on March 25, 2021July 7, 2021 by WindlassCreative

When the newly dedicated trophies for winners in the 12mR Vintage and Antique divisions are awarded the Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK) in Helsinki, Finland this summer their recipients will be the first 12mR World Champions to hoist them aloft.

Each of the legacy trophies is of special significance to both NJK and the International 12mR Class. It is therefore fitting that the “new” trophies will debut at the 12mR Worlds hosted at NJK while the Club is concurrently celebrating its 160^th Anniversary.

The Heatherbell Trophy, was donated to the NJK by the Krogius Family specifically to recognize World Champions in the 12mR Antique division. Approximately forty International First Rule (Antique) 12mRs were built between 1907-1920 and were sailed in Olympic competition at the1908, 1912 and 1920 Games. The yacht Heatherbell was among the first 12mRs ever built when she was launched at Glasgow, Scotland in 1907.

The unique silver chalice now bearing her name was first awarded in 1911 to NJK Commodore Ernst Krogius (1865-1955) then owner of the winning Heatherbell. At the NJK Clubhouse, the trophy is displayed along with a “double-portrait” of Heatherbell. The painting depicts Commodore Krogius at her helm with the gaff-rigger also seen sailing on the horizon.

The NJK 160 Year Jubilee Trophy, recently donated by Henrik Andersin, owner of Blue Marlin (FIN-1) and 2021 12mR World Championship Chairman, also traces its origin back to 1911. The gilded Sheffield-made silver cup was originally awarded for Point-to-Point equestrian races in the United Kingdom. This perpetual trophy will be awarded to 12mR World Champion yachts in the Vintage Division. The Vintage division is comprised of International Second Rule 12mRs, constructed between 1920-33 and Third Rule 12mRs designed to the formula enforce from 1933 until the America’s Cup Third Rule was established in 1958.

The Nyländska Jaktklubben will serve as Trustee and Guardian of both perpetual trophies which will be on display at the Club throughout the 2021 12mR World Championship in August. Thereafter, each may claim pride of place at the winner’s home yacht club until the subsequent 12mR Vintage and Antique World Championships are held.

For more information about the 202112mR World Championship

For more information about Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK)

For more information about the International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA)

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