*VIM (US-15) chased downwind by NINI ANKER (K-15) | Erik Lähteenmäki | Sailpix.Fi*

Last week the 12 Metre World Championship (postponed from 2020) was held in Helsinki, Finland. By all reports it was a highly successful event. It’s amazing that yachts which require so many crew, so much expertise, not to mention so many dollars to run them, have become such a flourishing class in Europe and the USA. I have included a rather dry and pedestrian report from the Championship website below, accompanied by some stunning photographs.

I for one would enjoy watching these beasts go head-to-head for the Americas Cup, far more than the predictable technology driven flying machines of today but then I’m probably a dinosaur like the 12s themselves.

Coincidentally I also noticed that AUSTRALIA, (often seen moored on the east side of Scotland Island on Pittwater) is back on the market. ….

This led me to do a little investigation into how the 12 Meters are classified these days and this is the best summary I can find.

·      Division A Wing Keel (Grand Prix) Sloops with wing keels and/or constructed after 1983 through 1987 but shall include Australia II (KA 6).
·      Division B Skeg Rudder (Modern) Sloops without wing keels but with rudders separated from the keel. This corresponds to a period of 1967 to 1983. It shall include Intrepid (US 22) and all yachts built after Intrepid but before Australia II (KA 6) and shall exclude Australia II.
·      Division C Keel Hung Rudder (Traditional) Sloops built from 1950 through 1967 with keel hung rudders and shall exclude Intrepid (US 22).
·      Division D Keel Hung Rudder (Vintage) Sloops built before 1950.
·      Division E Keel Hung Rudder (Antique) Gaff-headed and Bermuda rigged cutters and sloops built under the First International Rule including yachts with centreboards.

Below are the 12meters with an Australian connection that I know of. I’d love to hear from readers who know of others, or can fill in any of the blanks in terms of history and whereabouts of some of these yachts.

·      ADVANCE, KA-7. Launched in April 1983, disappointing performance in heavier wind conditions. She was destroyed in 2006 by Torresen Marine. USA

·      AUSTRALIA KA-5. Built in 1976. She is the only yacht throughout the history of the America’s cup to have challenged on two occasions. Her first challenge was in 1977 against COURAGEOUS skippered by Ted Turner and her second in 1980, against Freedom skippered by Dennis Connor. Currently for Sale on Pittwater

·      AUSTRALIA II. KA-6 The famous one! won the 1983 America's Cup for the Royal Perth Yacht Club. Skippered by John Bertrand, she was the first successful Cup challenger, ending a 132-year tenure (with 26 successful defences) by the New York Yacht Club. Currently in the WA Maritime Museum. As a valued piece of Australian history, its unlikely she will never sail again.

·      AUSTRALIA III. KA-9 Built in 1985. Now called FRATZ and owned by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

·      AUSTRALIA IV. KA-16 Reported to be in Miri, Sarawak, Borneo

·      CHALLENGE 12. KA-10 Built in 1982. Sails regularly at Newport Rhode Island and won the Modern Division of 12mR World Championship there in 2019

·      CHANCEGGER. F-4 This French triple planked mahogany yacht was at RMYS in Melbourne for a while but now reportedly sails in Sydney.

·      DAME PATTIE. KA-2 Built in 1966 now berthed in Monaco on the French Riviera,

·      GRETEL. KA-1 Built in 1962. Undergoing restoration in Flensburg, Germany

·      GRETEL II. KA-3 Built in 1970, currently berthed at the RYCT in Hobart.

·      KOOKABURRA 1. KA-11 Built in 1985 Currently actively sailing from RYCV in Williamstown Victoria.

·      KOOKABURRA 2. KA-12 Built in 1985 Currently sailing from Porto Santo Stefano, in Italy.

·      KOOKABURRA 3. KA-15. Defended and lost the America’s Cup in Freemantle. Reported to be sailing in Italy these days.

·      MORNA. Built in 1913 as a “Cruising 12 Meter, Famous for Sydney-Hobart career, now undergoing a full restoration by Noakes in Sydney.

·      SOUTH AUSTRALIA. KA-8 Built in 1985 Currently Sailing out of St Tropez, France.

·      SOUTHERN CROSS. KA-4 Built in 1974 currently a day sailing charter boat in the Whitsundays, Northern Queensland,

·      STEAK ‘N KIDNEY. KA-14 Built in 1986 and still sailing in Sydney.

The report from the 2021

12 METRE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

VIM (US-15) CLAIMS THE CROWN

HELSINKI, FI (August 22, 2021) – After navigating 2 years of shifting circumstances caused by Covid-19, racing at the 2021 12mR World Championship (postponed from 2020) hosted by Nyländska Jaktklubben finally got underway on August 16. Finland’s capricious weather presented a wide range of wind speeds and sea states to challenge the fortitude, skill and patience of the nine 12mR teams who had arrived at the regatta from Denmark, Germany and Norway— all on their own keels– after traversing hundreds of nautical miles on the Baltic Sea. This in itself was a rare and impressive achievement for the fleet of Vintage yachts that range in age from 82 to 103 years old.

But no matter the conditions the competition, camaraderie and Finnish hospitality could not be dampened at the tremendously successful event that also celebrated a milestone anniversary for NJK, the oldest registered sports club and largest yacht club in Finland. Commodore, Mats Welin said: “Although this is the first time the 12mRs have held their World Championship in Finland, NJK has a long history with the Class including participation at our 50th and 75th Anniversary celebrations in 1911 and 1936. Now during our 160th Anniversary year we are very pleased to host the International Twelve Metre Class and proud that two competitors will race under the NJK flag.”

On Tuesday, Henrik Andersin, skipper of Helsinki’s hometown team Blue Marlin (FIN-1) “watched the clouds” and was first across the finish line in the series opener. Vim (US-15), skippered by Patrick Howaldt, prevailed in Race Two, the first of what would become a 4-race winning streak for this team.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the wind and seas states were deemed unsafe by the Race Committee together with cooperative input from representatives of each team. All but one of the crews stayed ashore enjoying NJK’s hospitality and sauna while keeping an eye on their yachts tugging at dock lines. The only exception being Flica II (K-14), skippered by Alexander Falk, who used the opportunity for some heavy-weather practice.

On Friday, the skies cleared, and racing resumed in continuing windy and choppy conditions. Three races were held with all nine yachts on the starting line for Race Three. Unfortunately, neither Nini Anker (K-14) nor Wings (K-15) were able to compete in Race Four due to equipment failures. By the third start, the fleet had diminished to just four yachts, notably some of the eldest in the fleet— Thea (D-1), Vanity V (K-5), Vema III (N-11) and Vim (US-15). Others including Blue Marlin (FIN-1), Flica II (K-14) and Jenetta (N-1) were also compelled to return to the docks for repairs prior to Race Five. Vim’s team, adept at “big wind” sailing according to skipper Patrick Howaldt, swept all three races of the day.

Despite numerous breakdowns the previous day, all nine 12mRs returned to the race course for the final day of racing on Saturday. This being a testament to the cooperation and commitment shared by the teams to collectively effect repairs to their historic yachts. Race Six of the series started in light and shifty winds ranging from 4-6 knots. Relative 12mR newcomer, Nini Anker (N-1) skippered by Christopher Avenarius prevailed and Wings (K-15), perhaps with a sense of redemption after an uncharacteristically disappointing series, won Race Seven— the final in the series.

Even with two second place finishes in Races Six and Seven, Vim (US-15) never slipped from the podium position she had established on Day One. When the final scores were tallied, Patrick Howaldt’s team reigned supreme completing the series with a total score of just 8 points over the 7-race series to claim the 12mR World Championship crown. Howaldt, who also serves at the International Twelve Metre Association’s (ITMA) Vice President of Northern Europe said: “NJK, the Organizing Committee, all of the yacht owners, sailors, volunteers and sponsors did an incredible job to create a truly spectacular regatta. We are of course happy with our results, but equally gratified by the high level of competition and excellence exhibited by the Baltic 12mR fleet.”

To the delight of hometown fans Blue Marlin (FIN-1) captured second place overall and Alexander Falk’s Flica II (K-14) took third. Blue Marlin skipper and 2021 Evli 12mR World Championship event chairman, Henrik Andersin said: “We are very happy to have been able to host this wonderful event, a first of its kind for Finland. Our Organizing Committee along with NJK persevered with planning and re-planning every detail against an ever-changing set of circumstances for this event originally scheduled for 2020. They are all to be commended for their dedication, creativity and professionalism throughout. The level of sportsmanship shown by everyone involved this week has been truly inspiring and we are thrilled with the success of the event, as well as the second-place finish of our own Blue Marlin team.”

If there were ever any doubt, this week the 2021 Evli 12mR World Championship proved that the Vintage 12mR Class is absolutely thriving in the Baltic. The boats and crews compete at the highest levels while the owners and caretakers preserve the iconic heritage of these breath-taking and legendary sailing yachts. As ITMA President, Paul Buttrose said earlier this week: “This Vintage 12mR fleet is the most widely-traveled and every boat has a fascinating history. Adding meticulous preparation and such a high standard of competition secures their recognition as “the backbone of our Class.”

Full Results Here