5 May 2000
Dear 8-Metre friends,
It has been a while and by now most boats are getting ready for the coming season. And what a season it will be!! We are heading for an 8-Metre World Cup in Italy close to 30 entries!!. Among other things, the event kept the IEMA secretariat happily occupied. The number of current restoration projects is staggering and last but not least a book on the history of the 8-Metre Class has been written. Following is an update on what is going on and what places to go this summer.
The 2000 World Championships - Italy
- Porto Santo Stefano
9 - 17 June
The entries kept on coming in at an amazing rate and it looks like we are heading for an all time record number of entries. We now have received and confirmed 29 entries from 8 countries and 2 continents.
Some 25 large trucks will bring in the Eights from all over Europe and I guess this will be the World´s first attractive traffic jam. Owners of many Eights around the globe have booked hotels to watch the races, including friends from the Royal Sidney Yacht Squadron in Australia. The organising committee headed by chairman Luigi Lang is doing a grEight job and apart from the racing we will have a magnificent social programme. Spectator and press boats are available, so if you are not bringing your Eight then there will be excellent facilities to follow the races and enjoy the Mediterranean sun. Ashore a variety of Italian Ristorantes are ready to introduce you to the Italian cuisine and if you happen to enjoy scuba diving then the crystal clear waters around Santo Stefano offer some excellent diving sites. The Eights will be launched at the famous Cantiere Navale dell Argentario. They are currently rebuilding the famous 1934 S&S yawl Stormy Weather and indeed Doug Peterson´s 9-Metre Tamara IX. You will also get the chance to catch a glimpse of the 1938 S&S 12-Metre Nyala and the 1930 "yawl of yawls" Dorade. Olin Stephens will be present during the event and I would not be surprised if he will drive "his" Dorade to follow the races.
The sight of close to thirty Eights on the starting line will be spectacular. Not only in numbers but certainly also due to the variety of entries. The oldest entry is crossing the Atlantic at this very moment. Folly, the 1909 8-Metre that Charles Nicholson designed and built for his own use, is shipped over from Buenos Aires, Argentina. At Cantiere Navale dell Argentario the rig will be built, they have just 20 days to get it done..... Folly will be joined by 4 more first rule Eights from Germany and Austria.
From the USA, Ronald Palm is there. Since 1985 this is his 12th World Cup. He campaigned his Eights, Mystery and Sarissa, in Helsinki, Sandhamn, Cannes, Rochester and Toronto. This year his Sarissa got the ticket for Italy to battle it out with the modern fleet. The further current modern entries include Yquem, Gefion, Gaulois, Dora, Spazzo and Lafayette. The total classic fleet for the Sira Cup and La Coupe Cartier currently lists 18 boats. Italy tops the list with classic entries and is strongly represented in the fleet racing for La Coupe Cartier. Riding on the waves of the growing interest in classic yachting in the Mediterranean a fleet of pre-war Italian classic Eight has been restored and the end is not in sight. I hope you all can make it to Italy to enjoy the 2000 Eight Metre World Cup. The day to day programme overview will be sent to you in the coming week.
The Great Eights - 1907 - 2000
The Book on the History and Yachts of the International Eight Metre Class.
This spring I was asked to write a book on the 8-Metre Class with the aim of launching at the 8-Metre World Cup. The confidence of Fabio Ratti Editori was such that the opportunity just had to be taken. This summer during the World Cup the book will be launched. Hardback, some 150 pages, full colour and lots of great photos and drawings. The book covers the history of the class from 1907, starting with the spectacular gaff rigged Eights and then moves on through time; the second and third rule and finally the moderns. The complete register with some 450 Eights built between 1907 and 200 is included as well as the regatta results of the Olympics, The Canada´s Cup, Coppa d´ Italia, Coupe de France, World Cup, Sira Cup and Coupe Cartier. Construction methods are discussed following photos taken at yards before the war and many of the best yards and designers are discussed. 3500 copies will be printed. The Great Eights will be available for sale during the World Cup and later through Internet.
The 8-Metre Slipway,
projects around the world
AUSTRALIA - Saskia 8 K-26 (William Fife 1931)
Fife´s most famous Eight, Saskia, has been restored and is back sailing. The bullet of the Clyde, winner of the Seawanhaka Cup in 1931 and 1936 Olympian has spent the last 45 years of her active sailing life at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Sydney Australia. She continued her winning streak down under with the Sayonara Cup and many other trophies. She is undoubtedly the Fife 8-Metre with the best performance record. Her owners are coming over to the World Cup as spectators and with the growing interest in the Eights in Australia the event could well be the ultimate inspiration to revive the Australian racing fleet.
CANADA - ACE 8 (W. Starling Burgess 1928)
Usually it is "like father like son". In this case it was the reverse. When James Countouris bough his 1928 Starling Burgess 8 Jackeen it took less than a year for his father to catch the 8-Metre fever. When James found ACE in San Pedro California the deal was done. ACE is one of the 11 one-design Eights built at Abeking & Rasmussen and a true sister of Jackeen. She was not in particular good shape when she was trucked over to Toronto but the experience of Jackeen had taught the Countouris family the right approach. This winter she has been replanked from the keel up. New frames were mounted and now the deck and cabintop are underway. Paul will put back the original cabin top configuration which was so typical for American design of that period. With lots of hard work and luck ACE will be back in her element this summer.
ENGLAND
Siris 8 K-3 (Frank Morgan Giles 1926)
Last week Siris ran down the slipway of Fairlie Restorations in Hamble after an extensive restoration. Janet Willmont found Siris outside in a garden where the boat sat for decades. The only way to move the boat was to cut the trees which had grown through and over this beautiful Eight. Fairlie Restorations worked overtime to have her ready for the World Cup in Italy where she will join the fleet as the first British entry since the inaugural World Cup on the Clyde in 1970. For Siris, going to the Mediterranean is like a pilgrimage. This is where Sir Arthur Paget and his Siris left their marks in the twenties and thirties with a string of victories.
If 8 K-29 (Bjarne Aas 1930)
According to Uffa Fox; "If" is the best hard-weather 8-Metre yet seen in Norway". Well after spending 24 years in a garden in Scotland "If" is finally going to sea again. She is an incredibly pretty Eight but at the moment that refers to her lines only. She needs attention, lots of it........... Peter Wilson of the Aldeburg Boatyard Company brought her to his yard last week and started the project. No news of the time schedule but with the summer coming up, I guess Peter will decide to make time and hopefully have her ready for the 2001 season.
I heard on the grapevine that Fulmar may move to the Solent for the 2001 season. Don´t be surprised if next season we will see the first 8-Metre race on the Solent since WW II. With Siris, If, Fulmar and Pinuccia all within reach, such a gathering could well enthuse more "yachties" to revive the class in the waters that once held the largest fleet of Eights in the world.
FINLAND - Wanda 8 FIN-3 (Tore Holm 1937)
In 1998 Wanda was sold to Finland, the Iroquois skippers John Hertell, Bertil Paulig, Robbie Lindberg and Per Gundersby. When they heard that this gorgeous Tore Holm design was on the market it took just one phonecall. Few Eights can match her record that includes 3x Coppa d´ Italia and the Sira Cup. She has spent a year at the ...... Yard in Hanko Finland where the planking underwater and part of the wooden keel was replaced. This summer she will sail again, undoubtedly picking up where she left, battling it out with the best of the fleet.
FRANCE
Enchantement 8 F-8 (Johan Anker 1923)
Enchantement spent the last years as Coppelia in Saint Tropez. Alexandre Geoffroy from Paris bought her last month. Although she is capable of floating, this boat needs to spend serious time at the beauty farm. She has joined Suzette and Aile VI at L'Herbaudiere Ile de Noirmoutier. She will be rebuilt to the highest standards and if all goes well she will join the active French Atlantic fleet in the 2001 season.
GERMANY
Helen 8 K-33 (Sir Thomas Glenn Coates 1936)
When Hans Monath bought Helen from Holland she was in reasonable sound condition. The boat has a great feel with her interior being totally original. Still she needed plenty of work and the restoration was done in sunshine Antibes. This year Helen will join the active 8-Metre fleet again. Her first big outing will be the World Cup in Italy.
Lafayette 8 (Jacques Fauroux 1986)
Jacques Mazet has sold his Lafayette to Peter Groh on Lake Constance. He plans to actively campaign this 3x European Champion. At the 2000 World Cup she will be there defending the colours of Germany for the first time.
Spazzo 8 GER-10 (Juliane Hempel 1998)
No need to rebuild this impeccable yacht, the news is that this modern 8 sensation in classic mahogany has been sold to Wilfried Beeck of Hamburg. This means that she will remain in German hands consequently the German fleet now ranks with the largest 8 fleets in the world. Spazzo will of course enter the World Cup in Italy. Philip Crebbin will take the tiller and try to sail her "a gear up" from the 1998 event. Rumour has it that Josef Martin misses his Spazzo terribly and is already planning to start the next modern 8 to further build the fleet in Germany.
Sposa 8 (Bjarne Aas 1929)
Josef Martin will first finish his classic 8 Sposa. He bought her in derelict condition, rotting away in a creek near Southampton. Sposa was built on the same lines as "If" the well known Bjarne Aas design. Knowing Josef Martin there is no compromise in sight. Sposa will be as good as new (probably better). No news on the schedule but with the summer coming up his yard may well find the time to have her floating before the season is over.
Germania IV 8 G-12 (Henry Rasmussen 1939)
The restoration of Rolf and Philip Ratcke´s Germania IV is progressing. The cut of stern has been fitted back on and the work on the new deck has started. There is no fixed time frame but don´t be surprised to see her on the line at the 2002 World Cup in Helsinki.
Windsbraut 8 G-11 (Henry Rasmussen 1938)
The last Eight to come from the yard of Abeking & Rasmussen has changed hands. Windsbraut has been added to the Metre boat fleet of Wilfried Beeck. She is essentially in good condition. She will be campaigned actively in the Baltic waters of Germany.
HOLLAND - Hollandia 8 H-1
(De Vries Lentsch 1927)
Forgive a Dutchman to be biased and terribly excited about Hollandia. She was built in 1927 as a contender for the Olympics in Amsterdam. In her first season she showed plenty of potential by winning the Coppa ´d Italia on her first outing in Genoa. In 1928 she claimed Olympic Silver but then her active racing career was over. In the early thirties she left for Germany. For the past 40 years she sailed thousands of miles racing and cruising in Baltic waters as the club yacht of the University Sailing Club of Rostock in former East Germany. Now she has been bought by Jos Fruytier (Maribel 8 NED-4). She will be trucked over to Holland and a huge rebuilding project will start to bring her back to her former glory. Attached is an image of Hollandia at her launch in 1927. Her story of the past decades is remarkable and in future you will read more about this exciting project.
ITALY
Bona 8 I-16 (Baglietto 1934)
Giovanni Mogna knows what he is after, only the best and most famous Italian Eights. After he had restored Bamba he bought the remains of Bona. This was the personal favourite Eight of Baglietto that brought her owner, the Duke of Ancona, many victories including La Coupe de France and the Coppa ´d Italia. Nautica Lavazza took on the project and worked around the clock to have her ready for the World Cup. Another great Eight back on the water! With her pedigree this will be a boat to watch closely as she aims to compete in highest ranks for La Coupe Cartier.
Miranda 8 I-21 (Costaguta 1938)
The last 8-Metre designed by Costaguta has spent the last 2 years at the yard of Cantiere Navala Beconcini in La Spezia, Italy. The project was enormous. All planking had to be replaced, many new frames, new deck, new cabintop, new rig, new just about everything. The aim is to launch her in time to participate in the World Cup in Santo Stefano.
Licea 8 I-12 (Costaguta 1928)
The latest news is that Licea has been sold. She will be moved from Palermo for a full restoration. She has a polyester covered hull, cut stern and is generally in bad shape. She will be rebuilt to original at Nautica Lavazza, the same yard that also restored Bamba and Bona.
NORWAY
The Norwegians are building up their Metre boat powerhouse again!. With more then 110 Metre yachts, the KNS (The Royal Norwegian Yacht Club) once had the largest fleet of Metre yachts in the world. It looks like the good times are returning. Last year Carron (William Fife 1934) was relaunched after a 5 year project by her owner, the Norwegian IEMA secretary Morton Tenvig. She was joined by Fenris (Johan Anker 1932) who came from Sweden after being restored at Djurö Båtvarv. The idea of an 8-Metre World Cup in the Oslo Fjord is afloat and if the fleet keeps building up at the current pace then this may well happen in the coming years. Following Norwegian projects are now underway;
Sira 8 N-33 (Johan Anker 1938)
For the past 62 years Sira has remained in the Royal family of Norway. Built in 1938, Sira was a spectacular entry to the class. She was the first 8-Metre with rod rigging made from special heat treated flat shaped aircraft rods. His Majesty King Harald has now commissioned the extensive restoration. The work includes new planking underwater, replacement of steel frames and deck work. Hopes are up for this most famous Eight to join the fleet in 2002.
Anitra 8 D-1 (Johan Anker 1930)
The ex Olympian Anitra also made her way to Norway after spending some decades as a cruising yawl in Denmark. Georg Schjelderup decided that it was time to bring her home to the Oslo Fjord and started the restoration. The latest news is that she will be back on the water in 2001.
Pleiades of Rhu 8 K-5 (Johan Anker 1926)
Pleiades of Rhu was built for John & Robin Aspin who later owned Fulmar. Pleiades had a moving life in every sense of the word. Her cruises are extensively described in the book "At the Tiller" by Iain Rutherford. Then she was bought by Marc Wolfenden who cruised her all over Europe ending up in Bodrum Turkey. On the way some rough weather was recorded and Marc reported that in foul weather in the gulf of Biscay he logged 14 knots while riding down the waves. Although she survived I am not sure if that was a good idea. She spent the last 3 years in Turkey and now she is moving to Norway. Svein Olav Moe is planning to sail her back to Norway this summer, quite an undertaking but I guess Pleiades remembers the way to go.
PORTUGAL - Cagg 8 S-5 (Tore Holm, 1930)
Cagg made her way from the Island of Gotland, Sweden to Portugal in the spring of 1999. After she ran on the rocks and sat in 3ft of water, some very serious structural damage was done. With broken stem, stern and damage to the planking there was no structural integrity left. At the yard of Absolute Restorations, David Vieira and Miguel Ministro recommended that the only serious way to do the project was a virtual new construction from the keel up. And that is what is happening right now. What could be used was used from the old boat, but frankly it is not all that much. The hull is now almost ready, the deck frames are in and soon the new deck will be laid. The work is done to the highest standards and with the best available materials. Following her original construction the hull is planked in Grand Bassam mahogany, copper riveted on steam bent oak frames. The backbone is in teak and Epoxy is banned. The foundry nearby supplied cast the bronze floors and knees. Cagg will hopefully be launched this autumn. The attached images give a small insight in the extraordinary quality of workmanship at Absolute Restorations. SWEDEN - Safir 8 S-6 (Gustav Estlander 1930)
The first 8-Metre of Marcus Wallenberg jr. has a new owner, Johan Ihrfeld of Sweden. This Eight was designed by the great Gustav Estlander in the last year of his life. In Autumn 1999 the Djurö Båtvarv started an uncompromising restoration. Planking, frames, deck, rigging, you name it. The yard is run by "old 8-Metre salts" Per Wermelin and the Nilson brothers. They know the Eights inside out and have probably restored and maintained more Eights then any other yard in Europe. Safir will be re-launched this summer.
USA
Les You Know (ex. Octavia) 8 USA-37
(Bruce Kirby 1984)
After the 1999 World Cup, Ken Schwenker sold his Octavia to San Diego. Fortunately she didn´t stay too long and last week she made her way back to the Great Lakes. Gene Jacobs gave her a new name: Les You Know and will race her in Northern Michigan on Lake Huron. His hopes for starting a new 8-Metre fleet are high. Les You Know could well initiate a new era of Interlake Competition.
Pandora 8 (Alfred Mylne 1928)
Mack Simons has been partner in Pandora over the past 21 years and recently took over the tiller and an extensive refit project started. Pandora is a mystery boat to me. She definately is not the 1938 Pandora designed by Alfred Mylne.An old bill of sale says she was designed by Alfred Mylne and built in 1928 by the Andrews Shipyard in Ontario, Canada. Apparently she made most of her miles in Larchmont - Long Island Sound. I have a 1930 booklet with a listing of the 8-Metre Racing schedule on the Long Island Sound. Thirty US Eights were listed but no Mylne design and no Pandora. If anybody has any information to help uncover the mystery then please contact me.
Wishing you all a good start of the sailing season !!
Best regards,
John Lammerts van Bueren
Executive secretary IEMA
The International Eight Metre Association
Gasthuisstraat 4
4161CC Heukelum
Holland
Tel: (+31) 345-619788
Fax. (+31) 345-616905
Mobile fax: (+31) 6 22430016
E-mail: eightmetre@ixs.nl