8 Metre (keelboat)


The International Eight Metre class are class of racing yachts. Eight Metre boats are a construction class, meaning that the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet specific measurement formula, in this case International rule. Before WW II Eights were the most prestigious international yacht racing class, and they are still raced around the world. "Eight metre" in class name does not, somewhat confusingly, refer to length of the boat, but product of the formula. 8mR boats are on average some 15 metres long. Between 1907 and 2008 approximately 500 8mR boats were built, 177 of them have survived until today.

History

The International Rule was set up in 1907 to replace earlier, simpler handicap system which were often local or at best, national, and often also fairly simple, producing extreme boats which were fast but lightly constructed and impractical. The Eight Metre class was the medium size rating established under the rule and they were chosen as an Olympic class in 1908 Summer Olympics. The Eights remained in the Olympics until 1936.
New, modern eights are still built utilising newest contemporary technologies, at the rate of 1–3 boats per year. During the 1980s, many old sailboat classes experienced a revival of interest. The class has undergone a renaissance which has continued to the day, with many old yachts restored or rebuilt to racing condition, and 8mr competition is once again thriving with 25–35 boats participating annually at the 8mR Worlds. "The International Eight Register" includes 177 identified existing boats of a total of approximately 500 boats built from 1907 until today.

Events

World Championships

After a long break, the Worlds have been organized for the eight metres in four classes:
1. The World Cup.

2. The Sira Cup – All Classic eights built prior to 1968

3. The Neptune Trophy – All Classics with original deck plan build prior to 1970, wooden spars and Dacron sails

4. Vintage eights – Gaffs build before 1920.
YearLocationWinnerOwnerDesignerBuilt
1983Hankø – NorwayVisionRobin ClarkeC.E. Nicholson1930
1984RCYC – CanadaVisionRobin Clarke C.E. Nicholson1930
1985Rochester – USAVisionRobin ClarkeC.E. Nicholson1930
1986Cannes – FranceAyanaWalter LatschaF. Camatte1947
1987NJK – HelsinkiWyeSigfrid SvenssonC.E. Nicholson1935
1988Sandham – SwedenWandaLasse BjörkTore Holm1937
1989RCYC – CanadaVenture II Lorne Corley E.A. Shuman 1938
1990Rochester – USAVenture II Lorne Corley E.A. Shuman 1938
1991RCYC – Canada Venture II Lorne Corley E.A. Shuman 1938
1992Sandham – Sweden Isabel Bo Persson Gustav Estlander 1928
1993NJK – Helsinki Andromeda Ola & Ulf Nilsson Arvid Laurin1947
1994Cannes – France VisionEric Mallet C.E. Nicholsen 1930
1995Medemblik – The Netherlands VisionEric MalletC.E. Nicholsen 1930
1996Sodus Bay – USA Iskareen Ralph Reimann Olin Stephens 1939
1998Geneve – Switzerland Vision Eric Mallet C.E. Nicholson 1930
1999Rochester – USANorseman Cedric G. E. Gyles William J. Roue 1930
2000Porto St.Stefano – Italy Vision Eric Mallet C.E. Nicholson 1930
2002NJK – HelsinkiBona Dr. Giovanni Mogna Baglietto 1934
2003SNT – France Bona Dr. Giovanni Mogna Baglietto 1934
2004SNG – SwitzerlandCutty Tou Alain & Gilles Minos C.E. Nicholson 1930
2005RCYC – CanadaIskareen Ralph Reimann Olin Stephens 1939
2006Lindau – GermanyFroyaPeter Groh Bjarne Aas 1939
2007RNCYC, The Clyde – ScotlandSaskia John & Micheal Stephen William Fife III 1931
2008KNS Hankø – NorwaySira His Majesty Harald V of NorwayJohan Anker 1938
2009Hyères – FranceSevern Brad ButterworthWilliam Fife 1936
2010Toronto – CanadaRavenMark DeCelles and Richard Self Alfred Mylne & Sir Thomas Glen-Coats 1938
2011Flensburg – GermanyRavenMark DeCelles and Richard SelfAlfred Mylne & Sir Thomas Glen-Coats1938
2012Cowes – EnglandRavenMark DeCelles and Richard SelfAlfred Mylne & Sir Thomas Glen-Coats1938
2013Helsinki – FinlandRavenMark DeCelles and Richard SelfAlfred Mylne & Sir Thomas Glen-Coats1938
2014La Trinité-sur-Mer – FranceRavenMark DeCelles and Richard SelfAlfred Mylne & Sir Thomas Glen-Coats1938
2015SNG – SwitzerlandWyvern Rüdiger StihlStarling Burgess / A&R1928