THE LOG BOOK
12M Worlds | Marstrand, Sweden
57.8885° N, 11.5967° E
Five days in Marstrand. Eight 12 Metres.
In August, Sloane headed to Marstrand for the 12 Metre Worlds, Vintage and Antique Division. Our love for the 12 Metre class is no secret. By most measures, it's the best-looking argument yacht racing has ever made for itself.
The pinnacle of yacht design, heritage, and competition. Designed and built by pioneers of the sport, the class ushered in a modern era of innovation from its genesis.
A brief history on the twelves: It's 1907. Enter the International Rule. One formula, meant to unify yacht design worldwide. For the next century, it pushed designers and competitors to the limits of engineering, speed, seamanship, and racing itself. The 12 Metre's tenure as the official class of the America's Cup (1958 to 1987) is enshrined as its golden age.
Valid.
But the original Twelves of the interwar period wrote the actual philosophy: innovation and technological advancement, married to elegant craftsmanship. Never one at the expense of the other.
Returning to the present in Marstrand. At the end of the last race, the top three were separated by the margin sailors love to talk about and dread to sail: a single point.
It is often said that every boat counts, and that races are won or lost in seconds. If the past week has confirmed anything, it is that this is not a platitude.
The 12 Metres did what they do best: beautiful yachts, racing with the gusto of dinghies. Northern Light held onto first, with Vim just one point behind, and Jenetta right on her stern.
Northern Light and Vim, sister boats built in back-to-back years, show the mastery of Olin Stephens on full display. Call it family rivalry, conducted at considerable expense and even greater elegance.
Preservation is easy. Winning is not. And vintage, it turns out, is better.
Many thanks to Christoffer and our new friends for the most wonderful time in Marstrand.
Our return to Sweden is inevitable.
