International 12m Class Yacht "Wings"

WINGS was originally designed for Baron Solvay of Belgium in 1937. She was built to conform to the rules of the International 12 Metre Class of racing yachts

12 Metre does not refer to the length of the yacht but implies that she has been built to the following formula:

(L+2d-F+ ÖS)/2.37=12 Metres

L is a length measurement, 2d is the difference between two girth measurements, S is a sail area measurement and F a freeboard measurement. Full details can be found at the 12 Metre Class website.

Designed in 1937 and build by Camper and Nicholsons in the UK, Wings' early sailing was curtailed by the outbreak of World War II. Following the war she was converted from a racing yacht into a cruiser and fitted with a yawl or ketch rig and an engine.

In 2001 she was bought by her present owner who has been restoring her gradually while still racing her in the classic yacht regattas in Europe. Her first regatta was the 2001 America's Cup Jubilee which saw her sailing under a sloop rig again. She also had the engine removed to conform to her 1930's specifications.

The 2007 season will see her competing in a number of regattas in the Mediterranean. For this season she has had her deck restored and the rig modified slightly. The rig modifications have required a full set of new sails that have been produced by Quantum in Cape Town.

She will have a new mainsail, #1, #2, #3, solent and a new light weight spinnaker. The headsails and main are all made from Dacron with a tradional design in keeping with the age of the boat.

Wing's first regatta of the season will be the 12 Metre Class regatta in Valencia in June, just a few days before the America's Cup finals. In mid-September she is due to compete in the Porto Cervo regatta in Sardinia before heading to Cannes for the 12 Metre Class World Championships. Following the World Championships she will race to St. Tropez to compete in her final regatta of the season in early October.