Six Metre Class World Championship 2015 preview

by International Six Metre Association on 1 Apr 2015 The International Six Metre Class World Championship 2015 will be hosted by the Société Nautique de La Trinité-sur-mer (SNT), Brittany from 29 May to 5 June. The team at SNT is world renowned for its event management and will be working closely with the International and French Six Metre Associations to deliver another outstanding regatta.

Early indications are that some 35-40 teams from across the globe have expressed their intention to race. With its foundations in the International Rule of 1907, a history that includes several stints as an Olympic Class and a current fleet that embraces both modern and classic boats, the championship will feature an astonishing range of spectacular yachts.

The competition will host stunningly restored sixes dating back to the 1930s or even earlier. Among these are expected to be ISMA Chairman Matt Brooks' 1931 Clinton H Crane designed Lucie, from the USA; local boat Vingt-Ans-Apres and the 1939 F Camatte design owned by Pierre Le Floch. The Classic prizes are open to boats built to the Six Metre rule prior to 31 December 1965 and they will race for the Djinn Trophy, which was donated to the class in 1979 to honour the memory of well-known Six Metre sailor Harry Morgan who owned US80 Djinn.

Whilst the Classics revel in the gleam of varnish and glint of polished brass, the Moderns are at the leading edge of yacht design and technical innovation. Their lines may be classic, but their rigs, appendages, deck gear and sails could not be more high tech. Defending World Champion Ross MacDonald and his team aboard St Francis IX from Canada will be hoping to retain his grasp on the Six Metre World Cup Trophy. Leading the charge of those aiming to wrestle it from him will be Britain's Paul Smith and his crew aboard the Peter Norlin designed Valhalla. As runner-up at the 2013 Worlds Valhalla has no desire to be the bridesmaid again and will be keen to add this accolade to their 2012 European Championship win. Other hot contenders include Canadian Don Martin's Ian Howlett designed Blade Runner and Britain's Bertie Bicket sailing the Pelle Petterson designed Scoundrel I.

The fleet always attracts an extraordinarily high calibre of sailor, keen to pit their wits against each other in one of the most demanding, and rewarding boats on the planet. The crew lists are always awash with the likes of Rod Davis, Phil Crebbin, Andy Beadsworth, James A Hilton Sr, Chris Mason, David Howlett, Martin Westerdahl, Dick Parker and Pedro Andrade to name but a few and the 2015 World Championship will be no exception.

Registration for the 2015 International Six Metre Worlds will run from Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 May. There will be pre-worlds racing on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May, further details of which will be published shortly. Championship racing will take place on windward/leeward courses in Quiberon Bay from Monday 1 to Thursday 4 June with Friday 5 June being a reserve day if required. A maximum of eight races will be sailed with five races being required to constitute a championship. Once six or more races have been completed there will be a single discard. The prize giving will take place on Friday 5 June.

Alongside the racing there will be an excellent social programme and the legendary beauty, gastronomy and attractions of La Trinité and southern Brittany will ensure that both the sailors and their accompanying friends and family will enjoy an outstanding visit to this delightful region of France.

Leading jeweler Arthus-Bertrand and technical clothing supplier Musto have both confirmed their sponsorship support of the event. ISMA and the SNT are most grateful to both companies for their generous support. Other sponsorship opportunities exist within the regatta and those interested in supporting the event should contact Jean Poitou, President SNT, accueil@snt-voile.org.

Further information about the event and the notice of race and entry form are available here. Further information about the International Six Metre Class is available here.