An important message from ISMA Executive Secretary Tim Russell

I have just received a copy of an e-mail sent to Sir Robert Owen, ISMA’s president.  In it Mauricio Sánchez-Bella advises us that the Board of the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo (RCNS) has taken the decision to postpone the European Championships until next year.  Sir Robert has asked me to pass the message on to you all.

In his e-mail Mauricio comments: “All the big sporting events are being postponed, even the Olympics. We have stayed in touch with the different fleets and everybody shares the concerns about the situation. 

The RCNS Board has met electronically, and we regret to inform you that we are forced to delay the European Championship by one year. Our sponsors have understood very well the decision, and share the reasoning behind it.   We believe that it would be unfair for the competitors that would face very different opportunities to train and in some cases even the legal impossibility to attend the Championship, so there is no other possible decision.

Please share this decision as widely as possible with the worldwide fleets. We will be announcing it in our webpage in the coming days. We believe announcing this publicly will help the different teams organise their season. 

You can imagine that we are extremely disappointed to delay this championship.  We already have – six months before the start – over 30 classics and 15 open division boats expressing their intention to attend, which would have represented a great success. We have been working the last years to prepare the Europeans and the Worlds for the International Six Metre class in our Club, and we believe this is the correct decision to ensure that we can provide a great series of events, giving momentum to the class, and most importantly,  a wide array  of opportunities to race to the class members. 

Considering the preceding, we are preparing a proposal for the Europeans and the Worlds, coordinated with the different countries holding the venues for the years ahead. As soon as it is ready we will forward it to you to discuss.  RCNS is also intending to re-start our monthly 2020 races as soon as it is legally and practically possible.”

I will of course advise you of the detail of the proposals for next year and the following years, so that all the fleets have an opportunity to be involved in decisions relating to the future programme.

Best wishes – stay safe.

Tim Russell
Executive Secretary
ISMA

In addition to hosting the Corsair Nationals, Point Roberts Race Week (13 to 17 July) is gearing up to host the spectacular International 6 Metre North Americans at the 5-day big boat event in 2020. In cooperation with the Puget Sound Six Metre Association (dba North American 6 Metre Association), yachts from Canada and the USA will include both Modern and Classic 6 Metres (designed pre-1965) racing as a single division on windward leeward courses set on the beautiful Strait of Georgia in the USA.

“We’re looking forward to a great event,” expressed Nigel Ashman, appointed liaison representing the US and Canadian Association and Championship and Pacific 6mR Yachts Inc. “Given the caliber and experience of the race management team provided at Point Roberts Race Week, we know the 6 Metre Class will be in very capable hands.”

The 6 Metres will participate in the 5-day championship and compete for the Bill Gooderham Canadian–American Trophy, awarded to the overall championship winner and the Olin J. Stephens II Trophy awarded to the highest placing Classics winner. Additionally, a new trophy (that is yet to be named), will be awarded to the highest placing ‘transitional’ Modern, defined as a boat built between January 1, 1966 and September 15, 1979 with an unmodified keel shape (and all other modifications within the rules that are allowed). “At least 6 boats will be in close competition for this,” explains Ashman, “including the recently and immaculately refurbished 1977 Doug Peterson design, Razzle Dazzle, Gary Mull’s St Francis V, St Francis VII andRanger, and Britton Chance’s Frenzy. Peter Norlin, Pelle Pettersen and Ian Howlett designs will also grace the race course with the latest in keel and winglet design.”

The International 6 Metre was first conceived as a Class at the 1907 meeting of the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU), now known as World Sailing. The International Rule, also known as the Metre Rule, was created at this time to establish consistent methods for measuring and rating to ensure fairness in racing and to encourage innovation. This same rule governs 6, 8, and 12 Metre yachts, with the 12 Metres gaining world renowned status as an America’s Cup competitor from 1958 to 1987.

The International 6 Metre was first chosen as an Olympic Class in 1908 and sailed in each Olympics until the last appearance in 1952 at Helsinki, Finland. The 6 Metre was also the boat of choice for a number of other high-profile events including the British–American Team Race Challenge, Seawanhaka International Challenge Cup, the One Ton Cup and the Bermuda Gold Cup. Due to its place on the world stage, the class has historically attracted the very best sailors to its ranks.

In recent years, the Class has seen increased participation in both the Classic and Modern divisions. In 2017, the class drew 45 boats from 11 nations to compete in the World Championships in Vancouver BC Canada.

“For this year’s North Americans in the Classic Division,” explains Ashman, “boats built prior to December 31, 1965 are expected to have a really strong local fleet that is often led by Kimo Mackey sailing the 1935 Saga, designed by Bjarne Aas, that will be exciting to watch. At least 6 other Classics, including the famous Goose, a 1938 S&S design, are also expected to attend.” Commenting about the Moderns he adds, “We expect 2 generations of boats to participate: those with cutting edge winged keels, such as Wildcat, New Sweden II and Arunga and earlier boats with standard fin keels. All boats, Classic and Modern, rate 6 metres and in certain conditions, anything can happen.”

THE RACE MANAGEMENT TEAM

John Abel, Event PRO, Victoria BC
World Sailing International Race Officer (IRO)
Sail Canada National Race Officer (NRO)
Race Management Master Course Conductor (RMMCC)
Club Judge (CJ)

Paul Evenden, RO, Vancouver, BC
Sail Canada National Race Officer (NRO)
Race Management Course Conductor (RMCC)
Club Judge (CJ)

Jared Hickman, Chief Judge, Seattle, WA
World Sailing certified International Judge (IJ)
US Sailing Certified National Judge (NJ)
US Sailing Certified Chief Judge (CJ)
US Sailing Certified Regional Umpire (RU)

Individually, this team has been the PROs, ROs and CJs of Charleston Race Week, Swiftsure, Van Isle 360, Melges 24 Worlds, Hobie North American Championships, BC Summer Games, Six Metre Worlds, US Team Racing Championships, US Match Race Championships, Moore 24 Nationals, San Juan 24 North Americans and many other high profile events. And collectively, they’ll be running the show at Point Roberts Race Week!

ABOUT POINT ROBERTS RACE WEEK

Race Week is a 5-day race event that runs Monday-Friday July 13-17, 2020 and is open to big boats 19’+ racing One Design, PHRF or ORC. With a minimum of 6 boats to comprise a fleet, two race circles will be offered that will include the new addition of course umpires. Now is a great time for fleets in the region to organize and let us know what your race preferences are so we can deliver these to you at PRRW!

MANAGING EDITOR OF NORTHWEST YACHTING MAGAZINE

Recently, I was promoted to Managing Editor of Northwest Yachting, the largest boating publication for powerboaters, sailors and fishermen in the Pacific Northwest. And with SEA Magazine and Boating World Magazine no longer in the picture,Northwest Yachting is the largest boating magazine on the West Coast of North America. I’m thrilled to be at the helm and am looking forward sharing more fun on the waterways of our region! Cheers to 2020!  Schelleen Rathkopf

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