A Journey Through Time: The History of IEMA
Discover the rich history and remarkable achievements of the International Eight Metre Association (IEMA). From its humble beginnings to becoming a global force in yacht racing, our journey through time is filled with passion, innovation and camaraderie.
About IEMA
Formation
The IEMA was established in response to a growing desire to preserve the legacy of the Eight Metre class yachts, many of which were built in the early 20th century. By this time, many classic boats were falling into disrepair, and there was a need for a formal organization to promote their restoration and racing.
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Purpose
History
The International Eight Metre Association (IEMA) is a global organisation dedicated to promoting the Class, building, and sailing of 8 Metre Yachts.
Birth of the International Rule
The International Rule, developed by the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU), is established to create standardized classes of racing yachts. The Eight Metre class (8mR) is one of the key categories created under this rule.
First Eight Metre yachts launched
The first Eight Metre yachts are designed and launched under the International Rule. These yachts quickly gain popularity due to their elegant design and competitive racing characteristics.
Eight Metre Yachts in the Olympic Games
The 8mR class is featured in five Olympic Games: 1908 (London), 1912 (Stockholm), 1920 (Antwerp), 1924 (Paris), and 1936 (Berlin). These events contribute significantly to the class's global recognition.
Rise in Popularity
Post World War I, the Eight Metre class sees a resurgence in popularity as yacht racing becomes a fashionable pastime. Many notable designers, such as William Fife and Charles Nicholson, contribute to the evolution of the class by designing iconic yachts.
Technological Advancements
The 1930s witness significant advancements in yacht design, and 8mR yachts become more sophisticated. This era sees some of the most beautiful classic Eight Metre yachts ever built.
Last Appearance at the Olympics
The Berlin Olympics mark the final appearance of the 8mR class in the Olympic Games. Afterward, other classes, like the 12 Metre, gain more prominence in international sailing events.
Decline and Survival
After World War II, the demand for Eight Metre yachts declines as newer, faster yacht classes emerge. Despite this, a dedicated group of sailors continues to race and maintain the yachts.
Formation of the International Eight Metre Association (IEMA)
The International Eight Metre Association (IEMA) is founded to preserve the heritage of the 8mR class and promote racing among the remaining fleet. The association works to restore older yachts and ensure the survival of the class.
Revival of Classic Yachting
During the late 20th century, a renewed interest in classic yachts leads to a resurgence in the popularity of the Eight Metre class. The IEMA takes a leading role in organizing international regattas and events to celebrate these historic yachts.
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The World Championships Established
IEMA establishes the Eight Metre World Championship, further solidifying the class's status in the international yachting community. These events become a major draw for sailors and enthusiasts of classic yachts.
Preservation and Modernisation
Throughout the 21st century, the IEMA continues to focus on the preservation of classic yachts while embracing modern advancements in materials and design. Many of the oldest 8mR yachts are restored to their former glory, and the class continues to thrive with a mix of old and newly built yachts racing together.
International Regattas and Active Fleet
The Eight Metre class maintains an active racing calendar, including major events like the World Cups and various Classic Yacht Regattas. The fleet includes both vintage and modern 8mR yachts, reflecting over a century of maritime history and design innovation.
About IEMA
The International Eight Metre Association fosters camaraderie through racing Eight Metre Yachts and celebrates the elegance of the Eights in a competitive spirit.
Modern Division Yachts
Eligibility:
Yachts built after 1960.
Design Features:
Includes yachts constructed with modern materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber, with advanced rigging and hull designs. This division often includes boats built in the late 20th century and early 21st century.
Neptune Division Yachts
Eligibility:
Yachts built between 1945 and 1970.
Design Features:
Includes classic yachts from the post-WWII era that may have incorporated early modern materials and design changes. These yachts are often a bridge between purely classic and fully modern designs.
Sira Division Yachts
Eligibility:
Yachts built before 1960.
Design Features:
Focuses on classic wooden yachts built under the early International Rules. These boats often have traditional design elements and construction methods.
First Rule Division Yachts
Eligibility:
Yachts built between 1907 and 1919 under the original 1907 International Rule.
Design Features:
Characterized by longer overhangs, deep keels, and traditional wooden construction. These yachts are among the earliest 8mR designs.
IEMA Trophies & Cups
The trophies and cups in the Eight Metre Class are a testament to over a century of sailing excellence. They exemplify the sport's rich tradition and competitive spirit.
After World War II, funds were focused on rebuilding Europe, making the heavy 8-Metre class yachts prohibitively expensive to build. New, lighter boats with smaller sails emerged, but the 8 mR yachts continued to thrive, especially in Scotland, Scandinavia, France, and Lake Ontario, where they were raced on tight budgets. In 1967, Eugene van Voorhis built the first new 8-Metre, Iroquois, designed by Olin Stephens, but it never raced for Canada’s Cup due to rule changes. Instead, he sold another yacht, Iskareen, to Scotland, marking a pivotal moment for the class. At the Royal Northern Yacht Club, Eugene challenged the Scots to a race, leading to the inaugural 8-Metre World Cup in 1970. Despite foul weather, six boats competed, with Dr. Weir’s Silja winning and Eugene finishing a close second. The event sparked a new tradition, establishing the World Cup as an annual challenge among nations.
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The International 8 Metre World Cup
The Sira Cup, named after King Olav V of Norway's yacht Sira from 1938, was created in 1983 for 8mR yachts built before 1960 after the king realised that newer yachts did not harmonise well with older boats. During the 1983 8mR World Championship in Hankø, Norway, King Olav V and Erik Anker decided to endow the trophy. The Sira Cup, which is held in parallel with the 8mR World Cup, has maintained the participation of classic yachts and strengthened the class. Today, the eligible yachts form the ‘Sira Class’ within the 8-metre class.
Sira Cup
The Neptune Trophy, which evolved from the Coupe Cartier, was presented to the Royal Northern Yacht Club on June 21, 1890, by James Coats Jr. as a prize for large handicap yachts during Clyde Week. The intricately embossed sterling silver trophy was first engraved with “Royal Northern Yacht Club Corinthian Regatta 21 June 1890” and was initially won by “May,” owned by W.J. Chrystal. After World War II, it became known as the 8-Metre Points Trophy, raced for at the Royal Northern Regatta during Clyde Week.
Neptune Trophy
The Generation Cup will be awarded to the yacht with the best overall score based on the high point system in the respective classes Modern, Sira, Neptune, or First Rule. The Generations Cup is donated by 8mR yacht Frøya and presented by Yacht Club Langenargen and the Lake Of Constance Eight Metre Association. The Generation Cups is a silver bowl made by Bonura & Cusimano from Palermo, Italy, in 1960.
Generations Cup
Prize for the best performing European 8mR. The Coppa d’ Italia is an Italian national treasure and was made in 1898. The Coppa d’ Italia, owned by Yachtclub Italiano, was donated to the 8mR class in 1908 by His Majesty King Umberto of Italy.All yachts with a valid measurement certificate are eligible for this cup.
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Coppa d'Italia
The Canada’s Cup was created as a challenge between the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) and the Lincoln Park Yacht Club of Chicago, first raced in 1896. The competition has since become one of the most important match-racing events in North America, typically featuring yachts representing these two nations in high-level racing. The cup bears historical significance as one of the oldest active sailing competitions in North America.
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Canada’s Cup
Introduced to support the restoration and competitive racing of classic 8-Metre yachts, especially those built between 1925 and 1940. Provides an equal platform for both classic and modernized yachts with historical upgrades like aluminum spars, Kevlar sails, and modern rigging. Helped inspire new restorations and revived interest in 8-Metre racing events. Held at Société Nautique Genève. La Coupe Cartier was followed by the Neptune trophy, a trophy that had been raced and won by eight metre class boats since the early ages of the metre class rule.
Coupe Cartier
Amsterdam 1928: Yacht Club de France Trophy Virginie Hériot (1890–1922), member of the Yacht Club de France, honorary quartermaster of the French Navy, and emeritus navigator, was famous throughout the world for her elegance, her love of the sea and yachting, her numerous victories in regattas, and the gold medal she won at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam 1928, onboard her Aile VI, in the Eight Metre Class. In 2014, the Yacht Club de France created this annual trophy in her memory to encourage women amateurs who are members of the IEMA (the international 8-meter association) who, through their excellence on the water, contribute to the reputation of the class.
Virginie Hériot Trophy
At an auction in Uppsala, Sweden, the historic Anker Trophy, crafted in 1918 by Norwegian silversmith David Andersen, was up for bid. The International Eight Metre Association (IEMA) saw this as a chance to reclaim a piece of its heritage. With a tip from friend Bobby Cyrus, the IEMA sent Tom Knutsen to secure the trophy. In a tense final moment, Tom placed a winning bid against an unknown competitor, bringing the trophy back to its rightful home. Renamed the Corinthian Trophy, it is now awarded annually at the World Cup to those embodying the true spirit of Eight Metre sailing.
Corinthian Trophy
At an auction in Uppsala, Sweden, the historic Anker Trophy, crafted in 1918 by Norwegian silversmith David Andersen, was up for bid. The International Eight Metre Association (IEMA) saw this as a chance to reclaim a piece of its heritage. With a tip from friend Bobby Cyrus, the IEMA sent Tom Knutsen to secure the trophy. In a tense final moment, Tom placed a winning bid against an unknown competitor, bringing the trophy back to its rightful home. Renamed the Corinthian Trophy, it is now awarded annually at the World Cup to those embodying the true spirit of Eight Metre sailing.
Amsterdam 1928: Yacht Club de France Trophy Virginie Hériot (1890–1922), member of the Yacht Club de France, honorary quartermaster of the French Navy, and emeritus navigator, was famous throughout the world for her elegance, her love of the sea and yachting, her numerous victories in regattas, and the gold medal she won at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam 1928, onboard her Aile VI, in the Eight Metre Class. In 2014, the Yacht Club de France created this annual trophy in her memory to encourage women amateurs who are members of the IEMA (the international 8-meter association) who, through their excellence on the water, contribute to the reputation of the class.
Introduced to support the restoration and competitive racing of classic 8-Metre yachts, especially those built between 1925 and 1940. Provides an equal platform for both classic and modernized yachts with historical upgrades like aluminum spars, Kevlar sails, and modern rigging. Helped inspire new restorations and revived interest in 8-Metre racing events. Held at Société Nautique Genève. La Coupe Cartier was followed by the Neptune trophy, a trophy that had been raced and won by eight metre class boats since the early ages of the metre class rule.
The Canada’s Cup was created as a challenge between the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) and the Lincoln Park Yacht Club of Chicago, first raced in 1896. The competition has since become one of the most important match-racing events in North America, typically featuring yachts representing these two nations in high-level racing. The cup bears historical significance as one of the oldest active sailing competitions in North America.
Prize for the best performing European 8mR. The Coppa d’ Italia is an Italian national treasure and was made in 1898. The Coppa d’ Italia, owned by Yachtclub Italiano, was donated to the 8mR class in 1908 by His Majesty King Umberto of Italy.All yachts with a valid measurement certificate are eligible for this cup.
The Generation Cup will be awarded to the yacht with the best overall score based on the high point system in the respective classes Modern, Sira, Neptune, or First Rule. The Generations Cup is donated by 8mR yacht Frøya and presented by Yacht Club Langenargen and the Lake Of Constance Eight Metre Association. The Generation Cups is a silver bowl made by Bonura & Cusimano from Palermo, Italy, in 1960.
The Neptune Trophy, which evolved from the Coupe Cartier, was presented to the Royal Northern Yacht Club on June 21, 1890, by James Coats Jr. as a prize for large handicap yachts during Clyde Week. The intricately embossed sterling silver trophy was first engraved with “Royal Northern Yacht Club Corinthian Regatta 21 June 1890” and was initially won by “May,” owned by W.J. Chrystal. After World War II, it became known as the 8-Metre Points Trophy, raced for at the Royal Northern Regatta during Clyde Week.
The Sira Cup, named after King Olav V of Norway's yacht Sira from 1938, was created in 1983 for 8mR yachts built before 1960 after the king realised that newer yachts did not harmonise well with older boats. During the 1983 8mR World Championship in Hankø, Norway, King Olav V and Erik Anker decided to endow the trophy. The Sira Cup, which is held in parallel with the 8mR World Cup, has maintained the participation of classic yachts and strengthened the class. Today, the eligible yachts form the ‘Sira Class’ within the 8-metre class.
After World War II, funds were focused on rebuilding Europe, making the heavy 8-Metre class yachts prohibitively expensive to build. New, lighter boats with smaller sails emerged, but the 8 mR yachts continued to thrive, especially in Scotland, Scandinavia, France, and Lake Ontario, where they were raced on tight budgets. In 1967, Eugene van Voorhis built the first new 8-Metre, Iroquois, designed by Olin Stephens, but it never raced for Canada’s Cup due to rule changes. Instead, he sold another yacht, Iskareen, to Scotland, marking a pivotal moment for the class. At the Royal Northern Yacht Club, Eugene challenged the Scots to a race, leading to the inaugural 8-Metre World Cup in 1970. Despite foul weather, six boats competed, with Dr. Weir’s Silja winning and Eugene finishing a close second. The event sparked a new tradition, establishing the World Cup as an annual challenge among nations.
