8m Worlds in La Trinite

Anne Massot previews the form

After Finland last year, the 8 metre International Class World Championship is to be held in France in 2003. Racing will take place in La Trinité-sur-Mer from Saturday 14th to Saturday 21st June 2003. This Championship will be preceded by the Atlantic Cup on 11th, 12th and 13th June, a prologue to the main event.

25 entrants representing 8 different nations are expected to compete in the 10 races specified in the Sailing Instructions issued by the Société Nautique de La Trinité, the club organising the event together with Tanneguy Raffray, European Vice-President Europe of the 8 metre International Class and co-owner of Hispania IV, the boat which used to belong to King Alphonse XIII of Spain in the 1920s.

These magnificent classic yachts were an Olympic series for a long time (1908-1936). Ever since their first appearance at the London Congress in 1906, they have attracted some of the great people in the world – the kings of Norway, Sweden and Spain, the Wallenberg, Rothschild and Siemens families have shone at the helm of some of the finest yachts in the class.

In France, the most glorious 8 metres IC achievement can be attributed to Virginie Hériot at the helm of Aile VI, gold medallist in 1928, in charge of a crew of men. Today, the pure lines and sporting performance of these splendid classic boats also appeal to less wealthy people who are not in the public eye, but who are every bit as enamoured of their elegance. People who have made greater sacrifices, without any regret, for this magnificent racing thoroughbred.

Born out of this mixture of genres, cultures and origins are the two strong points of the events organised by the 8 metre IC, namely their conviviality ashore and the competitiveness on the water. This year again, professional sailors, some of whom have participated in the America’s Cup, and enlightened amateurs, whose titleholder 2002 is Frenchman Jacques Fauroux at the helm of Fleur de Lys will be entering battle on equal terms in the Bay of Quiberon, for the pleasure of an astounded public.

With a World Championship in 2003 and a European Championship in 1999, the small harbour town of La Trinité-sur-Mer is reviving its history. Between the two world wars, the Bay of Quiberon was one of the stretches of water favoured by the owners of 8 metres IC yachts, a saga brought to life by the Kerviler family, Gino Costantini and Franck Guillet, former President of the Société Nautique de la Trinité (SNT). The historic story came to an end in the 1950s with the laying up of the most famous local boats, Osborne, Cutty (present at the 2003 Championship under the name of Cutty Tou) and Cantabria.

Among the entrants divided into four types of event, including the Coupe Cartier (reserved for old boats having preserved all their authentic features), notable will be Carron II (1935), belonging to the Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, Aile VI owned by Virginie Hériot, Enchantement IV, the oldest 8 metres yacht entered in the 2003 Championship, built in 1923 and Fleur de Lys, the most modern boat, launched in 2002 and current titleholder.

The 8 metre International Class is also a fine current day series which uses the most modern techniques to its advantage. New 8 metre IC yachts are built every year across the world. Among these boats will be Yquem, built in 1984 and chosen by Russell Couts and the Alinghi syndicate as training boat for the America’s Cup.

Boat – Year built - Flag
1 - Aile VI -1928-France
2 – Aluette -1997-Switzerland
3 - Fleur de Lys -2002-France – Titleholder
4 - Ayana -1947- Germany
5 - Blue Red -1924-France
6 – Bona -1934-Italy
7 - Catina VI -1936-Switzerland
8 - Carron II -1935-Switerland
9 - Cutty Tou -1930-France
10 - Enchantement IV -1923-France
11 - Gaulois -1984-France
12 – Gefion -1988-Switzerland
13 – If -1930-England
14 - Amovita -1939-England
15 - La Fayette -1996- Holland
16 – Mystery -1984-USA
17 – Sarissa -1989 - France
18 – Silk -1947-France
19 – Sphinx -1928-Finland
20 - Sposa II -1929-Germany
21 – Suzette -1930-France
22 - Vision of Sebago -1930-France
23 – Yquem -1984-Switzerland