Inter-Fleet Events
The International Class offers a wide range of regattas which bring
together sailors from both the U.S. and International fleets for spirited
competition on the water. Uniquely, local fleets offer their own boats
to the visiting racers, who compete using a change boat format to emphasize
the skills of the teams, not the performance of the individual boats.
In most cases, only one team from Marblehead will be invited to participate
in these regattas. To earn the honor of representing Marblehead at one
of these events, prospective competitors must successfully compete in
a grueling series of qualifying series of
races. The name of the local qualifying event follows the descriptions
of the international competitions. A description of the local qualifiers
comes at the bottom of this page.
International One Design Class World
Championship
First held on the Great Sound of Bermuda in 1959, the International
One Design Class World Championship annually brings together the very
best sailors from each of the International Class Fleets. The competitors
vie for the Bjarne Aas Trophy, which honors the designer and original
builder of these magnificent racing boats. The week-long regatta features
close racing and close fellowship among teams of sailors that cherish
the highest ideals of one design racing. The regatta venue rotates among
the ten World Class Fleets -- this September the Worlds will be hosted
by the Bermuda Fleet. In 2005 the the Worlds will take place in late July and will be hosted by the Norway
fleet.
Bermuda International Race Week
Inaugurated by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in 1952, Bermuda International
Race Week has become an established international yachting fixture each
spring - that attracts the top skippers from many countries. The sailing
takes place in blustery spring winds on Bermuda's picturesque Great Sound.
The International One Design is the only keelboat to have been a featured
participant in every International Race Week. Teams at the regatta represent
usually represent every
International Class Fleet, and the Race Week Organizers often invite special
guest sailors to round out the racing fleet. Originally Bermuda Race Week
featured both fleet racing and match racing. In recent years, a nine race
fleet sailing competition has been offered to the competitors. (Second
Qualifier, 1 invitation expected)
The North American Invitational
Since 1979, the seven International Class fleets across North America
(including Bermuda) have offered a three-day regatta to bring together
the teams within each fleet who have not qualified to represent their
fleet in recent World Championships. The regatta provides an opportunity
for teams to enjoy the excitement of travel and camaraderie of sailing
in venues other than their own. In 2005 the North Americans will be hosted
by the Marblehead Fleet (2005 First Qualifier, 1 invitation expected)
The Nantucket Invitational
The newest fixture on the International Class racing calendar, the
Nantucket Invitational is a three-day short course format event at the
end of June that provides
exciting race course action in a unique fleet of Internationals. The Nantucket
fleet boasts thirteen identically equipped and centrally maintained Internationals,
making this fleet the most "one-design" of all the World Class
Fleets. (Second Qualifier, 1 invitation expected)
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