Past memories, New energy

While the AC75 reflects the technical advancement for which the America’s Cup is known, it is the 12 Metre Class that continues the history and heritage of the event. Long after the four teams competing in the 36th edition have retired their yachts will memories be rekindled again on Narragansett Bay.

Following the success of the 2019 12mR World Championship held in Newport, R.I., the International Twelve Metre Association has again selected America’s City by the Sea as the venue for the 2022 12mR World Championship.

Scheduled for September 19-24, 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, R.I. 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).

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 of 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.”

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) on August 12-24.

Event details: https://12mrworlds.com/

Source: Barby MacGowan, Media Pro Int’l