Our honorary president is unquestionably the most experienced Int. 8-Metre sailor in the world. Eighty years ago, back in 1939, his father King Olaf first took him on board his Int. 8-Metre Sira and so started a life time of deep passion for sailing and the sea. King Harald is a highly accomplished and competitive sailor who competed in three Olympic games (Int,. 5.5 in 1964 and 1968 and Soling in 1972). He won the One Ton Cup twice and won the Sira Cup during the 8-Metre Worlds in 2007. He has raced string of custom design IOR and IMS racing yachts, a Farr 40 and aTP52 which he campaigned around the world. Always racing with a crew of friends, all world class sailors in their own right, all passionately competitive and all enjoy sailing as much as each other’s company. If not on other duties, the Royal Yacht Norge serves as mothership. Norge was built in 1937 as mothership for T.O.M. Sopwiths America’s Cup challenge with Endeavour. She’s lovingly maintained and her aft deck has space for the cradle which Sira is transported. It is an honour to have King Harald racing with us and a privilege to have him as honorary life president of IEMA.

In recognition to his outstanding contributions to yacht racing and his participation in 8-Metre Competition over a period extending 45 years, the 1982 General Assembly of the International Eight Metre Association unanimously elected His Majesty King Olav V of Norway as honorary life member of this association. H.M. King Olav passed away on January 17th, 1991.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the International 8-Metre Class over a period extending 40 years the 1999 General Assembly of the International Eight Metre Association unanimously elected Eugene van Voorhis as honorary life member of this association. Some highlights of Eugene’s life with the Eights 1967: Building of Iroquois, the worlds first modern 8-Metre, as a challenger for the Canada’s Cup. 1970: Founding the 8-Metre World Cup and donating this Trophy to the Royal Northern Yacht Club in Rhu, Scotland. Shipping his 8-Metre Iskareen to Scontland to compete in the inaugural 8-Mette World Cup. 1982: World Champion with Iroquois at Visby, Sweden. 1983: World Champion with Iroquois at Hanko, Norway. 1986: The 8-Metre Clas regains IYRU International Status under presidency of Eugene van Voorhis. 1983-1987: President IEMA

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the International 8-Metre Class over a period extending 30 years the 2002 General Assembly of the International Eight Metre Association unanimously elected Karl-Johan Hertell as honorary life member of this association Karl Johan (Joni) Hertell as served as president and executive secretary of IEMA for 11 consecutive years and continuously served on the board of IEMA for 21 years. With strong leadership and vision Joni has been at the roots of the revival of the class as we see it today. Some highlights of Joni’s life with the Eights 1972: Entering the 8-Metre Class with Silja 1975: Winner 8-Metre World Cup 1978: Founding member of the International Eight Metre Association 1978-1983: First president and executive secretary of IEMA 1982: 8-Metre Class applies for International status under presidency of Joni Hertell. 1984-1986: Vice President IEMA 1986: Acquires the 8-Metre Iroquois with the Sex Grubbar Syndicate 1987: Executive secretary IEMA 1987-1989: President IEMA 1990-1991: Vice President IEMA 1992-1993: President IEMA World Cup: Joni has participated in the 8-Metre World Cup in 1975-1978-1982-1983-1985-1986-1987-1988-1989-1992-1993-1995 and 2002.

In recognition of his outstanding commitment and contributions to the International 8-Metre Class over a period extending 40 years the 2005 General Assembly of the International Eight Metre Association unanimously elected Gaston Schmalz as honorary life member of this association. For almost 50 years Gaston has been sailing his beloved 8-Metre France from the port of Cannes. In 1983, with his Gaulois, he initiated a series of 5 modern 8-Metres designed by Jacques Fauroux. He campaigned his yachts on both sides of the Atlantic. Gaulois participated in 7 World Cups, including the 1985 World Cup in Rochester. With France he participated in 5 World Cups, including the 1991 World Cup in Port Credit. In 2002 he launched the first of a new generation modern 8-Metres. His Fleur de Lys was a sensation in Helsinki winning the event in a clean sweep. Fleur de Lys was campaigned in 3 World Cups, including this event at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. Twice World Champion, participation in 15 World Championships. Any day that Gaston is in Cannes you can see him leaving the port at 11:00 for a sail in the bay. He is the true Primus inter Parus among the French 8-Metre Class promoters. Gaston passed away in 2020.

Ced has been and, undoubtedly still is the driving force behind the Lake Ontario Fleet. He entered the class back in 1953 with the Fife 8-Metre Concerto and 56 years on he is still highly active racing his Norseman and remains committed with heart and soul to the class. He has introduced countless sailors to our class, young and old and has been discretely backing several syndicates allowing the next generation to join the class. The list of his contributions and achievements in service of the class and the North American fleet goes on and on. Ced has been instrumental and for his contributions to the Eights and the sport of sailing the class will be forever grateful.

Our honorary president is unquestionably the most experienced Int. 8-Metre sailor in the world. Eighty years ago, back in 1939, his father King Olaf first took him on board his Int. 8-Metre Sira and so started a life time of deep passion for sailing and the sea. King Harald is a highly accomplished and competitive sailor who competed in three Olympic games (Int,. 5.5 in 1964 and 1968 and Soling in 1972). He won the One Ton Cup twice and won the Sira Cup during the 8-Metre Worlds in 2007. He has raced string of custom design IOR and IMS racing yachts, a Farr 40 and aTP52 which he campaigned around the world. Always racing with a crew of friends, all world class sailors in their own right, all passionately competitive and all enjoy sailing as much as each other’s company. If not on other duties, the Royal Yacht Norge serves as mothership. Norge was built in 1937 as mothership for T.O.M. Sopwiths America’s Cup challenge with Endeavor. She’s lovingly maintained and her aft deck has space for the cradle which Sira is transported. It is an honor to have King Harald racing with us and a privilege to have him as honorary life president of IEMA.

Werner is continuing his job and role as president in the executive committee. A fierce competitor at the World Champion who has won the World Cup, Coppa D’Italia, Sira Cup and competed for the Neptune Trophy. He has served on the Excom for some years now and his contributions to the class are many. An extraordinary bright leader and diplomat. When sparks fly he’s the 911 of the class, someone with a canning skill to put down fires before they get out of hand. To my mind he is the chief of the IEMA Fire brigade.

Murdoch is the executive secretary of IEMA. In preparation of the 2007 centennial celebrations at the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club, Murdoch bought Lafayette with the aim to defend the honor of the home club on the Clyde. The one boat, two year campaign ended up as a 2 boat 14 year addiction. We all knew that would happen, now he knows it too. Murdoch has become a main stay in the class, competing at just about any World Cup on both sides of the pond. He brings in a wealth of experience and expertise. A man with a canning ability to connect and promote, a man who builds bridges, always with his eye on the ball and the bigger picture in sight.

Tom is taking over the role from Seraina as treasurer. He bought the famous red Eight from Peter Wilson, got hooked and set out to grow his fleet in Norway aiming and well underway for 10 boats in Oslo. He’s new to the class, in his own words, an old rookie, but he’s not new to making things happen. However hard he tried, there was no way he could hide his track record in sailing as member of the Olympic Sailing Committee at KNS, secretary of the Melges 24 and much more. A serious racing man with a team to match. A star at connecting people and building bridges.

Axel Meyer has been introduced to sailing at a young age. Being the son of Honorary member Fred Meyer, it is easy to understand where his competitiveness, whitt, keen eye and love for boats come from. Axel is an active member in the Suisse fleet sailing from Geneva and is also a committee member of the 2022 Worldcup, which was held in Geneva.