6 metre sailors take to the ice
as a new trophy is born.























Friday 25 January 2008 6 intrepid English sailors arrived for the inaugural event to race for the ICE CUP a new trophy donated by Johan Larson president of the 6-metre fleet in Sweden. To be raced for annually on the ice in the DN (Detroit News) class.

Eric (an official from the Swedish Ice racing team) was called in to give us a crash course (only Andy Ash-vie from Harken UK took this literally) in how to assemble and sail these incredible boats. Basically a canoe on a plank attached to three skates with a mast and sail. No breaks and able to achieve 130 km/hr with very little wind, (a certain mind set is required).

With one and a half days of practise before racing, the plan is to master these pocket rockets. No component weighing more than 20kg very easy to assemble. Out onto the ice which you can see through you take the tiller in one hand the runner in the other, with spikes on your feet push/sprint behind the boat building up momentum to create apparent wind quickly jump onto the plank/rear axel drop into the boat and sheet on hard. Crash helmet essential as tacking requires taking a blow to the head as the boom crosses over and rests almost on your shoulder. In the mean time you are trying to hold up your head so you can see where you are being propelled at great speed avoiding collisions as the almost arctic sun is shinning directly into your eyes, coupled with watching out for the fissures in the ice that you are meant to cross over and not drive down!

On the Second day of practise I had almost overcome my fears when Andy ‘Crash-Vie’ spun out breaking the plank and snapping a skate from its mounting. As he nursed the yacht back to the shoreline and informed us of the accident and damage I very quickly took the chance to take on duties as race officer and watch heart in mouth as the rest of my intrepid countrymen and women took on the Swedes. Ben Clothier of Battle Cry took off like Karl Lewis winning the trophy with a 1.1.2. Followed very closely by our host Johan Larson 1.1.3. Who would have thought the Brits would win.

Wish you were there, Great time had by all

Avia Willment

For further information contact the British Team Coach who just happened to show up lakeside.

Chris Williams Secretary (DN K1) IDNIYRA- Europe
International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association www.icesailing.org
c.w.w@btinternet.com. He lives a Bishops Waltham and spends 2 months a year chasing ice.
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New Sparkman & Stephens
6 Meter for sale

































The Museum of Yachting of Newport, Rhode Island, is pleased to announce that as part of an exhibit on the history of S&S, the building of a new replica six-meter racing yacht CHEROKEE. The yacht is being built from plans provided by S&S and will be launched in time to compete in the 6-meter World Cup-also being held in Newport in 2009. Price is $160,000US.

The full listing can be seen by following the link:

www.yachtworld.com/boats/1823739/0

Please make inquiries to: Sparkman & Stephens, Inc.
Tel: +1-212-661-1240
Email: brokerny@sparkmanstephens.com

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Relaunching 8 Metres
"Truant" and "Helen"

"Truant"
Built by William Fife for Sir Ralph Gore, Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Bought in 1952 by Bob Davidson, godfather of present owner Ross Ryan. Ross's restoration, carried out by Adam Way at Lochgilphead with advice from Theo Rye, is a very personal tribute to Bob, who died shortly before the launch. It is based on the original drawings and has retained 60 per cent of the original fabric




























"Truant"

"Helen"
Designed to the 3rd International Rule by Sir Thomas Glenn Coates and built in the Mylne Yard, 1936, Helen was discovered in Antibes in 2006 by Brian Pope's International Metre Yacht Management and brought back to his yard in Penpol, Cornwall. On stripping her back, they found considerable degradation and she has been virtually rebuilt, relaunching just in time for the 2007 Metre Centenary



















"Helen"

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