The ISMA Six Metre World Championships 2023 & The Archive

At the beginning of September, The Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, UK, hosted the Six Metre World Championships, with the 2023 regatta marking the 50-year anniversary of the ISMA World Championships.  

The event included 34 boats, sailing across both Open and Classic Divisions, from the UK, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Sweden, France, Germany, Canada and the United States. Due to the forecast of very light winds, the Championships came to an end one day earlier than expected on Thursday 7th September, but with a complete series of eight races. 

The Open Division fleet sailing at the World Championships 2023                            ©SailingShots by Maria Muiña

The winner of the Open Division, awarded the Six Metre World Cup, was Jamie Hilton’s Scoundrel, followed by Stella in 2nd place and Dieter Schoen’s Momo, which finished in 3rd place.

In the Classic Division, the Djinn Trophy, which has been awarded since 1973, was won by His Majesty King Carlos of Spain’s Bribon. Second place went to Louis Heckly’s Dix Août, which was loaned to Gery Trenteseaux, followed by Simon Williams’ new boat Silvervingen in third place.

Trophies at the World Championships 2023 ©SailingShots by Maria Muiña

On the Corinthian Teams, Phillippe Durr and Rainer Muller’s Junior won the Corinthian Open Division, while Patrick Sandman’s May Be VI won the Corinthian Classic Division.

Other notable awards included The Astor Cup for the highest placed boat whose crew included a person under 25 years old, which was awarded to Simon Williams’ Silvervingen. In addition, the Lucie Trophy for the highest placed boat whose crew included a woman was awarded to Violeta Alvarez in Stella.

Whilst the World Championships was an important occasion for the Six Metre sailing community, it was also important for the Archive and the Archive Team.

The outgoing Archivist, Jenny Wittamore, and the current Archivist, Charlie Alexander, were present in Cowes for the end of the practice races, the ISMA Annual General Meeting and for the championship’s Opening Ceremony, which was held on a lovely warm evening at The Royal Yacht Squadron. Prints of photographs drawn from the Kirk of Cowes exhibition were on display during the Opening Ceremony and it was great to see these on a large-scale. They are fascinating historical images.

Jenny Wittamore (left) and Charlie Alexander in front of images by Kirk of Cowes at the Opening Ceremony of the World Championships 2023 ©SailingShots by Maria Muiña

Being present in Cowes offered an opportunity to further strengthen the Archive’s connection with the Class and its community. Jenny also provided Charlie with some excellent training in the Archive’s processes, in the very comfortable surroundings of the Library at the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Charlie has now been joined by Sofia Grael and, together with James Harris, they form the Archive team. We wish Jenny all the very best for her new endeavours. We also look forward to future championships!

The World Championships 2023 Race Results from the Classic and Open Divisions are now available to view here on the Archive website. Boat Profiles are being updated and we will continue to add other relevant documentation relating to the event, so it is preserved for the future.

If you have any images, or stories, from the World Championships 2023 that you would like to share with the Archive, then please email [email protected].