The International Eight Metre class are class of racing yachts. Eight Metre boats (often called "Eights" or 8mR[citation needed]) are a construction class, meaning that the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet specific measurement formula, in this case International rule. Before WW II, Eights were the most prestigious international yacht racing class and they are still raced around the world. "Eight metre" in class name does not, somewhat confusingly, refer to length of the boat, but product of the formula. 8mR boats are on average some 15 metres long. Between 1907 and 2008 approximately 500 8mR boats were built, 177 of them have survived until today.
History
The International Rule was set up in 1907 to replace earlier, simpler handicap system which were often local or at best, national, and often also fairly simple, producing extreme boats which were fast but lightly constructed and impractical. The Eight Metre class was the medium size rating established under the rule and they were chosen as an Olympic class in 1908 Summer Olympics. The Eights remained in the Olympics until 1936.
Up till 1914 the 8 metre yachts were traditionally Gaff rig. This changed with the launch of Ierne by the Fife yard becoming the first yacht of the class using Bermuda rig. Over time Bermuda rigs became more popular thanks to much more convenient cruising.[1]
New, modern eights are still built utilising newest contemporary technologies, at the rate of 1–3 boats per year. During the 1980s, many old sailboat classes experienced a revival of interest. The class has undergone a renaissance which has continued to the day, with many old yachts restored or rebuilt to racing condition, and 8mr competition is once again thriving with 25–35 boats participating annually at the 8mR Worlds. "The International Eight Register" includes 177 identified existing boats of a total of approximately 500 boats built from 1907 until today.
Olympics
World Championships
After a long break, the Worlds have been organised for the eight metres in four classes:
1. The World Cup.[2]
2. The Sira Cup – All Classic eights built prior to 1968[3]
3. The Neptune Trophy – All Classics with original deck plan build prior to 1970, wooden spars and Dacron sails[4]
4. Vintage eights – Gaffs build before 1920.
Worlds Venue
Worlds Results
References
- ^ "Eight Metre "VERANO II" (Snarken) - Part 1". 9 February 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ "IEMA". www.8mr.org. Archived 25 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "IEMA". www.8mr.org. Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "IEMA". www.8mr.org. Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
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- ^ "2002 Class History Event Page"
- ^ "8 Metre World Cup in la Trinite sur Mer Overall". yachtsandyachting.com
- ^ "2003 Worlds Report"
- ^ "2003 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2004 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2005 Class History Event Page"
- ^ "8 Metre Worlds at Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto". yachtsandyachting.com
- ^ "RCYC 8 Meter Worlds". Archived 2005-10-18 at the Wayback Machine.
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- ^ "2006 8m Worlds Official Event Website". Archived 1 July 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "2006 Class History Event Page"
- ^ "Ergebnisliste 8mR World Cup 2006 Chopard". Archived 15 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
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- ^ "2007 8m Worlds Official Event Website". Archived 19 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "2007 Class History Event Page"
- ^ "8 Metre Worlds at Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club Overall". yachtsandyachting.com
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- ^ "2009 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2010 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2011 Class History Event Page"
- ^ "24 8-Metre yachts enter worlds during Rolex Baltic Week". yachtsandyachting.com
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- ^ "2012 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2013 8m Worlds Official Event Website". Archived from the original on 2013-08-02.
- ^ "2013 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2014 8m Worlds Official Event Website". Archived from the original on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "2014 Class History Event Page"
- ^ "8mR World Cup at Société Nautique de la Trinité-sur-Mer". yachtsandyachting.com
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- ^ "2015 8m Worlds Official Event Website"
- ^ "2015 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2016 8m Worlds Official Event Website". Archived 27 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "2016 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2017 8m Worlds Official Event Website"
- ^ "8mR World Championship manage2sail"
- ^ "2017 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2018 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ "2019 Class History Event Page"
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- ^ Yacht Club Italiano (2 September 2023). "8 Metre World Championship at Yacht Club Italiano – Overall". yachtsandyachting.com
- ^ Smith (24 August 2024). "Eight Metre World Cup at Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club – Overall". yachtsandyachting.com
- ^ "World Cup Turku, Finland 2025". Retrieved 2025-08-09.
- ^ "International 8 Metre World Cup 2025". Retrieved 2025-08-09.