The XIXth World Cup for the Six Metre class will be held in 2011 in Helsinki, Finland. The regatta will form a central part of the 150-years anniversary of Nyländska Jaktklubben, the largest yacht club in Finland. The regatta will run from August 5 to 12, scheduled as follows: 1-4.8. Sail measurement, 5.8. Registration, 6-7.8. Tune-up races 1-4, 8-11.8. Races 1-8, 12.8. Reserve day and prize giving ceremony.

The World Cup for Six Metres was started in 1973, running on a biannual basis. From 1995 onwards, the Classic Sixes raced as a separate division. In 2011, the Modern Fleet will compete for the World Cup, while the Classic Fleet will battle for the Djinn Trophy. A turnout of some 50 yachts is expected. The Classic division is quite strong in the host country. Finnish sixes have won the Classic World Cup in 1995, 1999 and 2003. The modern Sixes of Sweden have already won the World Cup six times.

Local conditions, getting there

The courses will be on waters south of Helsinki, on the Gulf of Finland. The course area has no tides and minimal currents. Waves are normally rather short and choppy. In summer, a thermal onshore wind can be expected to build throughout the day to a fresh afternoon breeze. In August,  occasional squalls may hit the area.

The Six Metre fleet will be berthed at the scenic NJK club harbour of Blekholmen (Valkosaari), right at the heart of the classic downtown Helsinki. The distance to the course area is 4-5 nautical miles.

Regatta history

Helsinki has served as host for the Scandinavian Gold Cup regatta in Six Metres twice, in 1939 and 1951. Will we see any of the prestigious 1922-1952 Cup winners in Helsinki in 2011?

The last Olympic regatta for the Six Metre class was held in Helsinki in 1952. The Finnish bronze medalist Ali-Baba II (then named Ralia) will certainly be racing at the World Cup. Hopefully we will also see 5^th placed Djinn and 9^th placed Titia on the starting line in Helsinki, 49 years later.

The first Six Metre World Cup in Finland was held in Hanko in 1999. 15 modern sixes and 32 classic sixes participated. In addition to the Finnish and Swedish fleets, the Swiss and American contingents were particularly strong. Will we meet the 1999 Modern medalists Fleau, May Be XIV and Courage VII? The Classic podium trio of Ali-Baba II, Mariana and Toy, all local boats, will certainly be contesting for the Cup once more.