Thea 12 D 1

Overview

Thea (D-1) is a 1918 International 12-Metre designed and built in Norway by Johan Anker. Launched as one of the first Bermudan-rigged 12-Metres, she began life under Anker’s Scandinavian “S-Formula,” a 1916 proposal that modified the 1907 First International Rule and informed the Second International Rule adopted in 1919. Following that change, Thea (originally Santa) was converted and rated as a 12mR to the Second International Rule. Building commenced on December 5, 1917.

Design and Rule Evolution

Conceived during a pivotal moment in meter-boat development, Thea combined a progressive Bermudan cutter rig with Anker’s S-Formula hull thinking. When international authorities codified the Second International Rule in 1919, she—along with other S-Formula yachts—was measured and raced as a 12mR under the new standard. Her long, fine lines and efficient sailplan made her a capable and enduring vintage Twelve.

Ownership and Names

Commissioned by Jacob B. Stolt (1918–1921) and launched as Santa in Haugesund, she later passed to And. F. Kiær (1922–1932) and was renamed Tenderen III at Fredrikstad. Under L. Rolfsen (1933–1936) she sailed as Gavotte III, entering the KNS Jubilee Regatta in July 1933 in the Twelves class and earning one first and two seconds. With Leif Hiegh (1937–1969) she reverted to Santa at Oslo; an auxiliary engine was fitted in 1959 and replaced in 1964. In Danish hands from 1970, Baron Ebbe Wedell-Wedellsborg renamed her Nina and based her at Rungsted; from 1972 she wintered annually at the Walsted yard, receiving continuous maintenance that preserved much of her original hull timber, including a major maintenance campaign in 1993. Since August 1998 she has been owned by Hans Michael Jebsen and ITMA Vice President Patrick Howaldt, restored and renamed Thea, and based in Copenhagen.

Restoration, Care, and Condition

Thea has benefited from consistent stewardship rather than a single total rebuild. The late-1990s restoration returned her interior close to original, added new spruce spars and a new engine, and prepared her for active racing. Her decades of attentive upkeep mean she has never required a complete reconstruction, and at more than a century old she remains a benchmark example of a well-preserved vintage Twelve.

Racing and Representation

Originally Norwegian and in Danish ownership since 1970, Thea has long served as a standard-bearer for the 12mR Class in Denmark and helped spark the renaissance of Vintage Twelves in the Baltic. She raced at the America’s Cup Jubilee at Cowes in 2001, has appeared at multiple Pre-Worlds and World Championships, and has been a regular at northern European classic regattas. In 2023–2024 she campaigned on the Mediterranean circuit, including the 12mR World Championship at Porquerolles and the America’s Cup Reunion in Barcelona. As the oldest 12mR at the 2024 Toulon Regatta, Thea was honored to receive the Olympic flame aboard during the torch relay toward Paris.

Current and Near-Term Plans

Active both on the classic circuit in Scandinavia and under Denmark’s DH handicap system, Thea remains an energetic racer and ambassador for the class. She is slated to remain in the Mediterranean for the 2025 season to compete in additional classic regattas before returning to her home base.