12 Metre IKRA: World’s Coolest Yachts

Yachting World has been asking top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest and most innovative yachts of our times, and French all-star Alexia Barrier nominated the 12 Metre yacht IKRA. Here’s the report:

“Ikra is probably the most formative yacht in my career,” recalls Barrier. “I was 18 and it was the first ‘big’ boat I ever raced on.”

Launched as Kurrewa V, Ikra was built in Scotland as a potential challenger for the 1964 America’s Cup before becoming part of Baron Bich’s French Cup campaign. Her duel against Pride initiated ‘La Nioulargue’, now the Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez regatta.

“I was involved in tactics and strategy, and sometimes responsible for trimming the headsails and spinnaker — which, on a 12 Metre, means serious power and loads moving fast. As a petite 18-year-old, it could have been intimidating. But I wasn’t intimidated, I was confident.

“That confidence came from our skipper, Olivier de Rosny. He trusted me and that trust changes everything when you’re 18. I wasn’t trying to prove I was strong enough – I was simply doing my job. From Olivier, I learned that leadership is not about volume – it’s about trust. That lesson stayed with me forever.”

IKRA Specifications:
Top speed: 19 knots
LOA: 21.06m/69ft
Launched: 1963
Berths: 0-6
Price: €550,000
Adrenalin factor: 75%

For Yachting World’s list of cool boats, click here.