Release of 12mR: An Enduring Legacy

12 Metre Yacht Club Releases 12mR: An Enduring Legacy
A film by Gary Jobson features the 2019 12mR World Championship in Newport, R.I.

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, USA (March 4, 2021) – The 12 Metre Yacht Club (12MYC) is excited to announce the release of 12mR: An Enduring Legacy.  Filmed during the 2019 12mR World Championship in Newport R.I., highlights include racing footage and competitor interviews paired with the experienced insights of the 12MYC’s Station Steward Gary Jobson who also wrote and narrated this documentary.

From July 8 – 13, 2019, twenty-two 12 metre yachts and more than 300 world-class sailors representing six countries converged on Newport to compete at the 2019 12mR World Championship. “The narrative of this film demonstrates why the people who race 12mRs are so passionate about the yachts,” said Jobson. “The feeling of sailing a twelve upwind connects sailors to the wind and the water in a way that makes you want to come back.”

Enterprise (US-27) and Courageous (US-26) chasing the Grand Prix fleet to weather at the 2019 12mR World Championship in Newport, Rhode Island. ~ photo: SallyAnne Santos

America’s Cup, Olympic and World Champions are attracted to the 12 metres for the elite level of racing, the history of the Class and the raw power of the yachts themselves. For three-time Olympic medalist Jesper Bank who helmed Legacy (KZ-5), the attraction to this regatta was Newport and the 12mR history. His fellow Olympic medalist and Kookaburra II (KA-12) helmsman Torben Grael said: “It’s nice to race boats that were in the Cup…they are still very competitive…with many good sailors.”

An Enduring Legacy co-producer, Jamie Hilton added: “It was important for us to document the once-in-a-lifetime gathering of 12 metres at Newport for the 2019 World Championship. Not only did we want to capture the legendary racing fleet in action, but also the voices of the participants— many of whom had raced on the twelves in America’s Cup competition when it was held in Newport between 1958 and 1983. Both American and international sailors were excited to be in Newport and ecstatic to be back on a 12 metre.”

America’s Cup winning Courageous ’77 tactician Gary Jobson

Reunited aboard Courageous (US-26), three of Ted Turner’s 1977 America’s Cup winning crew — sailmaker Robbie Doyle; bowman LJ Edgecomb and tactician Gary Jobson — remarked on “better-than-original” boat performance throughout the highly-competitive Modern division. Together with Courageous, Newport’s iconic resident 12mRs — Columbia (US-16), Weatherly (US-17), Intrepid (US-22) and Freedom (US-30) boast seven America’s Cup victories among them.

Three “pre-war” twelves — Nyala (US-12), Blue Marlin (FIN-1) and Vema III (N-11) were shipped from Italy, Finland and Norway respectively, to race against the United States’ oldest 12mR Onawa (US-6). American viewers will enjoy seldom-seen footage of these beautiful European wooden twelves sailing in Newport waters. In high-tech contrast, the three “plastic fantastics”— New Zealand (KZ-3), Legacy (KZ-5) and Kiwi Magic (KZ-7) — were together again battling for bragging rights in the Grand Prix division against Kookaburra II (KA-12). Although the competing 12 metres ranged in origin from 1928-1987, every yacht and her crew were ship-shape and fighting fit, each thoroughly prepared for world championship competition.

12MYC Commodore and owner of Challenge XII (KA-10) Jack LeFort is exuberant about the future of the 12 metre class in Newport. “This season we will welcome several new dynamic teams to our world-class racing fleet. And with the 12 Metre World Championship returning to Newport in 2022, we look forward to another highly competitive global event showcasing the legacy of our fantastic 12mR yachts.”

Jack LeFort’s Challenge XII (KA-10) crosses the finish line to capture the 2019 12mR World Championship at Newport.
~ photo: Ian Roman

This summer approximately twenty twelves will compete at the 2021 12 Metre World Championship hosted in Helsinki by Finland’s premier yacht club, the Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK) from August 12-24, 2021.

Next summer, the 2022 12 Metre World Championship will return to the waters off of Newport, RI, hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club (ILYC) from September 19-24, 2022.

Jobson summed it up, “The twelves will continue to thrive long into the future because they are fun and yet challenging boats to sail— the 12 Metre Class is the epitome of what yacht racing is all about.”

Produced by Gary Jobson with Jamie Hilton and Scott Shucher, and made possible by contributions from Jeff Beneville, Peter Gerard, Steven Gewirz, 12MYC Commodore Emeritus James Gubelmann, Art Santry and the 12 Metre Yacht Club Newport Station.

12mR: An Enduring Legacy is “must-see 12 Metre TV.”

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Editors’ Note:
Follow to 12MYC NEWS feed, sign up here: https://12myc.org
To subscribe to 12MYC E-Newsletters, sign up here: https://12myc.org
To receive the 12 Metre Worlds blog, sign up here: https://12mrworlds.com

For more information visit:

12 Metre Yacht Club, Newport Station:
https://12myc.org

12mR Worlds Official:
https://12mrworlds.com/

 

Ida Lewis Yacht Club:
https://ilyc.org

International Twelve Metre Association:
https://www.12mrclass.com

 

 

@12_metre_yacht_club

@12MetreYachtClub

@12myc_Newport

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CONTACTS:

Administration & Sponsorship:
12 Metre Yacht Club
Linda Lindquist-Bishop
12myachtclub@gmail.com
+1 312-560-1168

Communications:
International 12 Metre Class
12 Metre Yacht Club
SallyAnne Santos
sallyanne@12metreyachtclub.org
+1 401-847-0112

Press Officer:
Media Pro Int’l
Barby MacGowan
Barby.Macgowan@MediaProNewport.com
+1 401-849-0220

12 Metre World Championship Returns to Newport, Rhode Island in 2022

12 Metre World Championship Returns to Newport, Rhode Island in 2022: 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, RI. 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.”

*U.S. Sailing awarded their prestigious St. Petersburg Trophy to the Ida Lewis Yacht Club for excellence in Race Management as voted by 2019 12mR Worlds 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.

Editors’ Note:
To receive the 12 Metre Worlds blog, sign up here: https://12mrworlds.com/

To subscribe to 12MYC E-Newsletters, sign up here: https://12metreyachtclub.org/

For more information visit:

12mR Worlds Official:
https://12mrworlds.com/

12 Metre Yacht Club, Newport Station:
https://12myc.org

@12_metre_yacht_club

@12MetreYachtClub

@12myc_Newport

Ida Lewis Yacht Club:
https://ilyc.org

International Twelve Metre Association:
https://www.12mrclass.com

(end)

CONTACTS:

Administration & Sponsorship:
12 Metre Yacht Club
Linda Lindquist-Bishop
12myachtclub@gmail.com
+1 312-560-1168

Communications:
International 12 Metre Class
12 Metre Yacht Club
SallyAnne Santos
sallyanne@12metreyachtclub.org
+1 401-847-0112

Press Officer:
Media Pro Int’l
Barby MacGowan
Barby.Macgowan@MediaProNewport.com
+1 401-849-0220

#12oftheWeek: Nefertiti (US-19)

Ted Hood sailing his newly launched Nefertiti at Marblehead, MA 1962 ~ photo: by John Osgood

NEFERTITI (US-19) was designed by Frederick “Ted” Hood for the 1962 America’s Cup Defender Trials and built in record time. “Neffy” as she is affectionately known, was launched just 96 days after building plans were delivered to the yard! US-19 was an innovative design featuring the widest beam of any 12 built to that date. She was very fast in strong wind, but unfortunately the ’62 Defender selection finals were raced in light air and Hood’s AC hopes were dashed by Philip Rhodes’ light-air-loving Weatherly (US-17).

In 1967, after some alterations by Hood, she served as the trial horse for Australia’s AC contender Dame Pattie (KA-2). Throughout the intervening years Neffy called Greece, the West Indies, Australia and South Africa home until 1996 when she was purchased by America’s Cup Charters and returned to Newport. Sears Wullschleger owned Nefertiti from 1998-2019, he raced her frequently while she remained in charter service with ACC. Nefertiti, now with 12 Meter Yacht Charters’ fleet, is owned by Jack Klink who raced and chartered her throughout the limited 2020 sailing season

Meet Nefertiti’s new owner (2020) Jack Klinck:
In February 2020, Jack Klinck of Chestnut Hill, MA realized his long-time dream of owning a 12mR when he purchased Nefertiti (US-19). Jack met Kevin Hegarty, owner of 12 Meter Yacht Charters, several years ago when considering the purchase of Columbia (US-16). Although that did not come to pass, the two became fast friends and when the opportunity to acquire Nefertiti came along the friends became partners.

Jack Klinck racing Nefertiti (US-19) at 2020 Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta, Bristol, RI ~ photo by: Karen Ryan

As a young boy, Jack first cast-off on an old wooden Sailfish with canvas sails on Lake Dunmore in Middlebury, VT—he told us “once flipped, it was nearly impossible to right!” (The Sailfish was the predecessor of the Sunfish.) Now he is the father of three children who also love sailing. His youngest, Mason served as part-time Neffy crew member last summer and all three will likely fill race team positions in the future.

Jack told us that he feels “honored to be Nefertiti’s steward, a member of Newport’s iconic racing fleet and hopes that his investment will help to secure the legacy and future of the 12mR Class.”

Although the 2020 racing season was limited, Jack enjoyed cruising with his family and competed at the Opera House Cup, the Newport Classic Yacht Regatta and at the Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta, where Nefertiti placed 1^st in her class.

Nefertiti (US-19) @ International Twelve Metre Association database

Nefertiti (US-19) @ 12 Metre Yacht Club Registry page

Nefertiti (US-19), photo by: Dan Nerney

 Nefertiti (US-19) sailing at Marblehead, MA in preparation for 1962 America’s Cup Defender Trials, photos by crew alternate John Osgood, provided courtesy of crew member Geoffrey Mason. (Mouse over thumbnails to reveal crew id captions)

L>R Geoffrey Mason, Rick Ledwith, Captain Fred Lawton, Toby Cosgrove (“Sewer Man”)

E. Ross Anderson

Ted Hood

Jon Wales

Nefertiti (US-19), 1962 Marblehead, MA ~ photo by: John Osgood, courtesy: Geoffrey Mason

Jon Wales (#6), Geoffrey Mason (#14), Seymour Comwell (lying down), Rick Ledwith (#5), Toby Cosgrove (#19), Pete Dupont (#8)

John Logan (#4), Rick Ledwith (#5)

L>R: Geoffrey Mason, Dave Smith, Donny McNamara, Toby Cosgrove, Rick Ledwith (white hat), Don Logan, Pete DuPont, Jon Wales

Bruce Hood and Captain Fred Lawton

Toby Cosgrove (facing aft)

L>R: Jon Wales, Dick McNamara, Toby Cosgrove, Ted Hood, Rick Ledwith, Ross Anderson Jr.

L>R: John Wales, Pete DuPont, Toby Cosgrove

Jon Wales

Back row L>R: Geoffrey Mason, Dick McNamara, Toby Cosgrove, Ross Anderson Jr., Pete DupPont, Don McNamara, Ted Hood ~ Front Row L>R: John Osgood, Jon Wales, Don Logan, Rick Ledwith, Charlie Shumway

 Photos by: Dan Nerney

 

#12oftheWeek: American Eagle (US-21)

American Eagle (US-21), 1964 America’s Cup, William S. “Bill” Cox (helm) and Bill Stetson– photo by Stephen Lirakis

AMERICAN EAGLE (US-21) was built by Pierre S. Dupont III’s Aurora Syndicate for the 1964 America’s Cup. With her innovative keel, mast and William S. “Bill” Cox on the helm, American Eagle boasted a 20-1 record versus Columbia (US-16), Nefertiti (US-19), Easterner (US-18) and Constellation (US-20) in the June-July Defender Trials. Ultimately, US-21 was edged out by US-20 in the selection series that featured a 42-tack duel on the last windward leg of the second race.

In a New York Times article published on August 24, 1964, US-21’s  relief helmsman and spokesman, Bill Stetson was quoted: “The harder it blows, the happier we’ll be.”

Ted Turner, 1977

Then would-be American media mogul, Robert E. “Ted” Turner, III— aka “The Mouth from the South” owned American Eagle (US-21) from 1968-1973.  He sailed her with an IOR rating in the world’s most challenging races, winning the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit, the Annapolis-Newport Race, the Sydney Hobart Race and the Fastnet Race. In recent years, Ted Turner has continued to race US-21 in numerous Newport 12mR regattas and attended the 2019 12mR World Championship.

Alexander Valcic, 2020

Meet American Eagle’s new owner (2020) Alexander Valcic: Born on the island nation of Croatia in the Adriatic Sea, Alex started sailing as a teenager and tells us that he learned to swim before he could walk! He considers his ownership of American Eagle (US-21) as both a privilege and a responsibility.

“I think of myself as a steward with a mandate to take good care of American Eagle and to keep her sailing for future generations. I am happy to make US-21 available to the public with 12 Meter Yacht Charters, so that people can experience the excitement of 12 metre racing and I hope also to provide sailing access to underserved youth.” — Alexander Valcic

American Eagle (US-21) @ International Twelve Metre Association database

American Eagle (US-21) @ 12 Metre Yacht Club Registry page

Ted Turner at the helm of American Eagle (US-21) with Gary Jobson and Herb Marshall

February 2020 E-News: Honors, Accolades & Announcements!

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September 2019 E-Newsletter

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May 2019 E-Newsletter

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CHARLIE MORGAN’S HERITAGE: 1970

Photos & Captions by: Stephen Lirakis, Historian

Williams & Manchester Shipyard, Heritage’s 1970 home

1970 was a very active year for me. After returning from Nationals at the completion of my college sailing career, I joined the crew of that year’s Bermuda Race winner Carina. After that, it was time to find a job! Paul Coble offered me a position on Heritage‘s shore team and I joined a number of my former college sailing competitors on the crew.

Charlie Morgan not only designed, built and skipped Heritage (US-23), he also built the sails! Morgan was the first to install a hydraulic lift in order to dry sail his wooden 12 to minimize water-weight gain. Unfortunately, Heritage suffered from the same malady as Valiant (US-24). The trend was to continue increasing displacement particularly aft, remember the famous bustles? Even Intrepid (US-22), re-designed by Brit Chance had moved in this direction.

I was recently asked why I do not have more photos from 1970. Well one day upon Heritage’s return to the dock after racing, I set down my camera to handle her lines and never saw that camera again. –SL.

It’s Rough on Sails and Sailors at Cup Jubilee

The New York Times SPORTS, Monday, August 20, 2001
By Herb McCormick

COWES, England, Aug. 19 — Shortly before setting out today in its capacity as the official flagship for the America’s Cup Jubilee, America, the 130-foot replica of the schooner that won the first Cup race in 1851— was hailed by a local sailor passing by on a small sloop.

“Look at all the trouble you’ve caused us,” he yelled at the crew.

For British sailors, the main trouble with the America’s Cup is that, despite countless challenges in the intervening 150 years, they have failed to win it back.

But that did not stop the Royal Yacht Squadron, in conjunction with the New York Yacht Club, from organizing an ambitious Jubilee regatta to commemorate that first race in the same waters in which it was sailed.

And in cool, blustery conditions this morning on the Solent, the current-swept waterway that separates mainland England from the Isle of Wight, the racing started for more than 160 boats in 15 divisions.

Conspicuous by their absence, however, were the 36 yachts entered in the three marquee 12-Metre classes, and the nine boats scheduled to race in the International America’s Cup Class fleet. With a building breeze that leveled off at a fresh 25 knots with gusts over 30, the conditions were deemed too boisterous for the relatively delicate twelves.

As the day unfolded, it appeared that in the case of the 12-Metres, discretion may well have triumphed over valor. Some 22 yachts retired from the racing, many with blown-out spinnakers or damaged mainsails or jibs. In that respect, it was a good day to be a sailmaker.

But it was a trying day for crews of the 1937 Vintage Class entrant Havsoerven and the Classic division yachts Blue Leopard, from England and the recently restored New York 50, Marilee, sailed by the New York Yacht Club skipper Larry Snoden. Both Classic yachts sustained dismasting, and the latter will be sidelined for at least a day with a broken boom.

The 12-Metres wisely remain in port.

Clearly, many sailors found the white-capped, blue-green waters of the Solent to be testing. However, the crews of the J boats Endeavour and Shamrock V, and the all-out racing machines Stealth, Extra Beat and Mari Cha III relished the stiff southwesterly and roiled seas— at least for portions of the day— and put on a sensational show for the hundreds of spectator boats in attendance.

At the blast of the starting cannon positioned along the seawall fronting the Royal Yacht Squadron, the four-boat J Class was the first division to get under way. Setting up to windward of its competition, the green-hulled Shamrock muscled upwind to an early lead while Endeavour languished in fourth place.

When the yachts reappeared after rounding their weather mark, however, it was Endeavour— flying its big blue spinnaker emblazoned with white stars and pushing a mighty bow wave— that had taken the lead.

And that lead was sealed when, halfway down the run, Shamrock’s spinnaker exploded in spectacular fashion. Still, Shamrock held on for a second-place finish. Endeavour later blew out its chute, but not before opening a comfortable gap.

With its solid black hull and matching carbon-fiber sails, the aptly named Stealth flew up and down the race course, at times making speeds of 25 knots downwind. Though Stealth was the first around the track in its IRC Modern Division 2, on corrected time it fell to 11th place.

In the IRC Modern Division 1, the battle was between the six-spreader sloop Extra Beat, skippered by the America’s Cup veteran Dennis Conner, and the powerful ketch-rigged Mari Cha III, sailed by Robert Miller.

Conner had Extra Beat well positioned off the starting line and his cause was furthered when Mari Cha III was forced to change jibs midway up the beat, temporarily sailing without a headsail. At times exhibiting blistering speed, Mari Cha III still managed to overtake Extra Beat and record a first-to-finish in its class. But on corrected time, Extra Beat moved to the top of the division standing.

When, in the early afternoon, the tide turned and began to ebb out in the Solent, the wind-against-tide conditions turned the seaway into a minefield of standing waves. Not coincidentally, it was at this juncture that the worst of the sail and rig damage occurred.

Race officials are hoping for more benign weather on Tuesday, the 150th anniversary of the schooner America’s historical victory, when the fleet is scheduled to race around the Isle of Wight in a restaging of the contest that began the legacy of sailing’s oldest prize.

CLIPPER: LEGO 12 METRE

Photos & Captions by: Stephen Lirakis, Historian

Clipper (US-32) was built at Newport Offshore in 1979, a David Pedrick design built on the foundation of the keel and keel apron of Independence. I believe this was the first time parts were re-purposed in the 12 metre class. Subsequently the concept would be utilized by the America II group to interchange parts as part of a 2 boat testing program.

Independence Cut-Up

Independence Keel

Independence fitted to the frames of the future Clipper

Clipper at Bannister’s Wharf