North Sea Week: 100 years: The age of the Cupper

Part 3: The era of the Cupper

The International Offshore Rule (IOR), developed in 1969 from the British RORC formula and the American CCA formula, marked the beginning of the IOR era on the water in 1970. Over the next quarter of a century, yacht building and regattas were dominated by the international equalisation formula. A complicated construction and compensation formula according to which yachts are divided into classes based on their main dimensions, in which they sail against each other with time compensation.

Since 1973, the North Sea Week has been part of the elimination for the Admiral's Cup, the unofficial world championship in ocean sailing. At Whitsun, Heligoland is surrounded by the exclusive flair of the sailing Formula 1 from the very beginning. 153 yachts are at the start of the regatta around the island. Although it's choppy. "Saudade", "Rubin" and "Carina III" emerge from the race as the AC team and bring the Cup to Germany for the first time. The sailing public is enthusiastic, media interest is high and the reputation of the North Sea Week is at its peak, where it will remain until the end of the Cupper era. The North Sea Week becomes the premiere showcase for the IOR newbuilds and is increasingly frequented by international crews.

But there were also some astonishing developments among the long-distance sailors. Also in 1973, Henry Thomas' "Diana III" with helmsman Harald Baum set a record in the Skagen Rund, which was not broken until 2000 by Dr Klaus Murmann's "Uca" with helmsman Walter Meyer-Kothe. After 55 hours and one minute, "Diana III" crosses the finish line off Kiel. Six years later, 19 Admiral's Coppers compete for the elimination. The "Jan Pott", the "Rubin" and the "Tina I-Punkt" are sailing to England when the Fastnet race is hit by a hurricane that claims the lives of 20 people.

The crews of these cuppers consist almost exclusively of men, namely ambitious amateurs. Paid crews and sponsorship are unusual. Without solvent owners and intensive training, successful participation in these groups is hardly conceivable. The North Sea Week is characterised by the juxtaposition of regular sailors and these professional amateurs, which is what makes it so attractive. However, the island prize now usually goes to the cuppers. The third in 1975 finally went to "Rubin", the fourth in 1982 to "Jan Pott".

On the other hand, IOR series constructions are also increasingly sailing at the front. They often come from Dehler. In 1969, shipyard boss Willi Dehler was already successful against the wooden competition with the "Optima". "There is a prospect," said YACHT at the time, "that the conservative-minded coast will have to rethink." The prediction was correct. In 1977, the first IOR single-class yacht, the Sprinta Sport, only seven metres long, was launched, and three years later there were already 15 boats. And in 1980, the Dehler DB1, a series-built Dehler, dominated the three-quarter tonne class. The Dehler 36 DB continued its success as an IMS series yacht in 1989.

The competitions off Helgoland produced three more victorious Admiral's teams after 1973, in 1983, 1985 and 1993, but interest in the Cup among ocean-going sailors declined in the 1990s. The campaigns were too costly, as the Cuppers were expensive as individual IOR constructions and were only competitive for a short time. At the end of the Admiral's Cup era, the North Sea Week is also in upheaval. It had been looming for some time. In the mid-1980s, parts of the IOR scene migrated to the Baltic and Mediterranean, and in 1988 all the Cuppers were in the south preparing for the Sardinia Cup. The Yardstick classification, introduced in 1984, attracts cruising yachts again. In 1989, the "Commodore's Cup", a pure yardstick prize, is introduced and well received.

In 1987, the results are calculated for the first time according to IOR and the new IMS measurement method, which was developed two years earlier. Computers calculate the theoretically achievable speed of a yacht from the hull dimensions obtained and the current wind and sea state data. This results in a daily updated allowance. The results according to IOR and IMS differ considerably. Soon, only the top regatta boats, admirals and quarter-tonne yachts will be sailing according to IOR. For the rest, IMS is favoured. The IOR scene is slowly but surely dying out.

This article is part of the new YACHT 12/2022, available at newsagents from 1 June or can be ordered digitally.