Historic 12 Metre Yachts gather in Marstrand for the 2026 World Championship.
ITMA Press release - 21 July 2026
Historic 12 Metre Yachts gather in Marstrand for the 2026 World Championship.
18-22 August 2026
From 18–22 August 2026, Marstrand, Sweden, will host the 12 Metre World Championship, bringing together 9 of the world’s most celebrated classic racing yachts: Blue Marlin, Jenetta, Flica II, Nini Anker, Northern Light, Vanity V, Trivia, Vema III, and VIM.
Although many of these yachts were built nearly a century ago, they are anything but museum pieces. They continue to compete at the highest international level, sailed by experienced crews and maintained with the same uncompromising dedication and precision that defined them when they were first launched.
What makes the 12 Metre class unique is not only its sporting heritage, but also the extraordinary stewardship that has kept these yachts alive through generations. Having survived wars, economic cycles, changing ownership structures, and shifting trends within the sailing world, they remain on the racecourse thanks to passionate individuals who chose preservation over disappearance.
For many of these yachts, the future could have been very different. When maintenance costs, technical demands, and changing priorities threatened their survival, they were saved by people who recognized their long-term value - not only as boats, but as carriers of history, craftsmanship, and the opportunity to allow future generations to experience them where they truly belong on the water.
An International Network of Owners and Enablers
Many of today’s owners are entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders who see themselves as custodians of an international legacy. Their investments are not limited to wood, carbon, rigs, and sails — they are investments in stories, craftsmanship, and a tradition that continues to evolve on the racecourse.
A significant contribution to the continued success of the 12 Metre class has come from German entrepreneur and sailing enthusiast Oliver Berking, founder of Robbe & Berking Classics in Flensburg. Through his shipyard, Berking has created one of Europe’s leading environments for the restoration, maintenance, and construction of classic wooden yachts.
Yachts with Stories Spanning Generations
Among the competing yachts is Blue Marlin, built in 1937 for British entrepreneur and racing pioneer Marion Barbara “Joe” Carstairs. After a long and remarkable history, the yacht continues to compete internationally today under the ownership of Finnish entrepreneur Henrik Andersin, formerly of Evli Bank.
Also representing this unique tradition is Northern Light, designed by legendary American naval architect Olin J. Stephens and launched in 1938. Throughout her long history, the yacht has had several distinguished owners, including Greek shipping magnate and billionaire Stavros Niarchos, one of the most influential entrepreneurs in global shipping during the post-war era. Today, Northern Light is owned and raced by Swedish entrepreneur Hans Eliasson and sailing legend Magnus Holmberg at the helm.
VIM connects the historical legacy of the class with its modern evolution. The original yacht was built for American sailor, entrepreneur, and America’s Cup legend Harold S. Vanderbilt, one of the most influential figures in international sailing history. Today’s VIM represents the new generation of 12 Metre ownership and is owned by an international group including Swedish entrepreneur Fredrik Malmberg, former Stella Capital, and German businessman Patrick Howaldt.
History That Still Races
What unites the entire fleet is a commitment to preserving more than just yachts. Each 12 Metre represents a piece of international industrial, design, and sailing history — a story that continues through racing, restoration, and the dedication of new generations.
Unlike many historic objects, these yachts were created for movement. Their true home is not behind ropes in a museum, but on the starting line where design, strategy, teamwork, and skill continue to determine the outcome.
For one week in August, Marstrand will become the place where maritime history comes alive again - not as a memory of the past, but as a living force on the racecourse.
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