The 12m JI World Championship is in full swing at Porquerolles. With its historic fleet and renowned skippers, the event is attracting the attention of the nautical world. After the first few days of training, the competition got underway in rough weather conditions, offering an impressive spectacle.
The 12m JI: a legendary story
The 12m JI, the historic classes that took part in the America's Cup between 1958 and 1987, represent a precious part of sailing history. These yachts are divided into two groups for this competition: the "Grand Prix and Moderns" on the one hand, built between 1963 and 1987, and the "Vintages" on the other, dating from before 1950. These include such famous boats as France I, French Kiss, Crusader and Kiwi Magic.
A line-up of prestigious skippers
The presence of such emblematic figures as Torben Grael, Matteo Plazzi and Marc Pajot adds to the appeal of this competition. Torben Grael, five-time Olympic medallist, is at the helm of Kookaburra II, while Marc Pajot, famous for his exploits on French Kiss, expresses his enthusiasm: " I'm delighted to be in Porquerolles for this 12m JI World Championship. It's a great line-up. To organize a world championship of this level is exceptional in France. "
The technical challenges of the 12m JI
Sailing on 12m JI boats requires special technical expertise. These boats, built for performance, demand precise skills in terms of maneuvering and trimming. The conditions encountered in Porquerolles, with its sometimes very strong winds, add an extra dimension to this challenge. " It was a very good decision by the committee this morning not to send us out on the water. We've waited, but the conditions don't allow us to sail safely today, especially for the classic boats. "commented Torben Grael after the cancellation of the Tuesday June 18 races due to high winds.
A lively first confrontation
On Wednesday June 19, the 12m JI boats were finally able to compete in their first official race. Under cloudy skies and difficult sea conditions, Kookaburra II won Group 1, while Jenetta triumphed in Group 2. Santiago Lange, aboard Kookaburra II, shares his enthusiasm: " It's a great race for us, Torben got off to a great start and the boat is going really fast... The World Championship is off to a great start! "
2 more days of racing
The 12m JI World Championship continues until Saturday June 22, with weather conditions set to improve, making for even more competitive racing. Each day begins with a skippers' briefing and ends with crew cocktails, reinforcing the spirit of camaraderie and competition.
