Spirit

SUI 8

Spirit – The Legacy of Dolphin

When Swedish yachtsman Per Wermelin commissioned his second modern 8-Metre yacht, he once again turned to Pelle Petterson, the renowned designer who had already made a name for himself in both yacht and industrial design. Beyond his contributions to sailing, Petterson was famous for designing the Volvo P1800, the sleek sports car that became an icon in The Saint, the 1960s television series starring Roger Moore as Simon Templar. His ability to blend aesthetics with performance made him the ideal designer for Wermelin, who had an uncanny ability to identify and nurture the fastest and most beautiful yachts.

Wermelin was more than just a competitor; he was the driving force behind the Swedish 8-Metre revival. In the early 1970s, when many of these elegant yachts were deteriorating in what was nicknamed “Rotting Row” at Djurö Båtvarv, Wermelin and the Nilsson brothers transformed the yard into a haven for these historic boats. With relentless passion, they restored many of them to their former glory, returning them to the starting line. His contributions to Swedish yachting extended far beyond boat restoration—he was a three-time world champion (1978, 1987, and 1992), part of the Sverigecampaign for the 1977 America's Cup, and played a key role in introducing young sailors in Stockholm to the world of big boats. His achievements were recognized by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden with a medal of honor for his vision in establishing the classic yacht center Nya Djurgårdsvarvet in Stockholm.

Among his many daring projects, Dolphin stood out. Launched as his second modern 8-Metre, she quickly proved her potential by crossing the Atlantic to compete in the Great Lakes, securing a second-place finish in the 1985 championship. True to Wermelin’s philosophy, every new chapter in her life brought success—each time she changed names, she also won the World Cup: first in Helsinki, then in Sweden, and finally in Geneva in 1998.

Per Wermelin was more than a sailor—he was a visionary, a risk-taker, and a relentless promoter of the sport. Whether restoring sunken yachts like Alba, creating a haven for 8-Metres at Djurö Båtvarv, or convincing corporations to build new boats, he was always pushing the boundaries. His legacy lives on in the boats he saved, the races he won, and the sailors he inspired.

In 1997, Swiss sailor Jean Fabre acquired Dolphin, commissioning a major refit at Djurö Båtvarv. Seeking to maximize her potential, he enlisted Dutch hydrodynamicist Peter van Oosanen to design a new keel. Van Oosanen, famed for testing the revolutionary winged keel of Australia II, brought cutting-edge developments to the yacht. Rebranded as Yquem, she became an exceptional performer in light wind conditions, cementing her reputation on the racecourse.

By 1998, Spirit had taken on an even more aggressive edge, sporting a set of cutting-edge, wildly expensive Cuben fiber sails. These sails were unlike anything seen before—super light, incredibly stiff, and designed to maximize performance. Her mainsail weighed a mere 11 kg, an almost unthinkable feat at the time. Canard, always pushing the limits of sail design, crafted a breathtaking #1L headsail with immense twist, allowing Spirit to fly across the water with an authority that left her competition trailing. That year, she dominated the World Championship, cementing her reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Cuben fiber itself was a game-changer in sail technology. Developed as a Dyneema composite fabric, it caught the eye of Bill Koch during his America3 America’s Cup campaign. Koch, known for his relentless pursuit of an edge, was so impressed with Cuben’s performance—especially in downwind sails—that he set out to secure exclusive access. When his attempts to buy the company outright failed, he simply bought out their entire production, ensuring that no other America’s Cup team could get their hands on it. Eventually, the company was acquired by DSM in Holland, and with Koch’s campaign over, production was released to the wider sailing world. Europe Sails (Canard) became the sole agent for Europe, ushering in a new era of high-performance sail design.

The first Eights to adopt Cuben fiber were Yquem and Lafayette, with Gefion following soon after. These sails came with an eye-watering price tag—a main alone was rumored to cost around 50,000, though exact figures are lost in the haze of history. Yet, for all their advantages, Cuben sails had one fatal flaw: they shrank unpredictably under certain conditions. The most infamous example came in 1999 or 2000, during the Worlds in Rochester. Gefion hoisted a brand-new Cuben mainsail on a hazy but sunny day, only to discover—after just two races—that the sail had shrunk so drastically it was rendered useless. It was promptly discarded, a harsh lesson in the risks of cutting-edge technology. A disaster for the sailors, perhaps—but a windfall for the sailmakers.

Fabre later sold her to a Canadian owner, where she continued her winning ways as Yquem.

More recently, Yquem II was acquired by a Scottish-Canadian team of whisky distillers and distributors, marking yet another transformation in her storied career. Now sailing under the name Spirit, she made her competitive debut under their ownership at the 2024 World Cup on the Clyde, continuing her long tradition of excellence.