The Metre Boats

Following the successful Centenary Regatta for the International Rule in July 2007, there is support for continuing this as an annual event to provide an opportunity for the Northern European boats to get together regularly.

Fleet racing will be organised for classic and modern 6mR, 8mR and 12 mR. Other classes will be accommodated depending on attendance - but never fear - all boats are welcome and we would expect entries from 5mR, 5.5mR and 10mR.

• Some big boats have indicated they will attend on their way back from the Fife Regatta in Scotland - so far, The Lady Anne (15mR), Mariquita (19mR) and Lulworth (23mR) have indicated that they will come. Racing for these boats will be organised by the British Classic Yacht Club who will be running courses more appropriate for them, but we will have ample opportunity to see them out and socialise with them. Now that there are new deep moorings in East Cowes, these boats will be able to enter the Medina River for the first time, rather than live on moorings outside.
• The 6mR will have their European championship earlier in the year at La Trinité, Brittany and the British boats may be seen out in the Solent during the Stug Perry and Red Funnel events. For details goto www.6mr.org.uk.
• The 8mR will be returning from their World Championship at Hanko, Norway. For details goto Royal Norwegian Yacht Club.
• the 12mR will be returning from the Robbe & Berking World Championship for Vintage and Antique 12 Metres at Flensberg, Germany. For details goto Robbe + Berking.

Now 100 years since the first rule was written, metre boats have been at the forefront of yacht development - they were amongst the first boats sailing in the Olympics, right from the 1908 London Olympics until 1968 in Mexico, 6mR were used for the British-American Cup (team racing) through the 1930’s, some of the 23mR were converted to ‘J’-class yachts and the 12mR were the boats used to challenge for the Americas Cup for 30 years once racing started again after the war and until a more modern derivative was designed. There has been a real resurgence of interest with many old boats being restored, new boats being built and some of the mega-stars of the sailing world choosing metre boats for their personal sailing.