5.5m fleet heads back to Benodet for Scandinavian Gold Cup and 5.5m World Champs

The International 5.5 Metre fleet is heading to Benodet in south Brittany and the Yacht Club de l’Odet this week for 10 days of championship racing, including the 2024 Scandinavian Gold Cup and 5.5 Metre World Championship.

It’s the eighth time the championship has been contested in Brittany and the sixth time since 1974 that it has been hosted by the Yacht Club de l’Odet. Eight boats are entered for the one boat per country Scandinavian Gold Cup, which runs August 29-31, while 30 have entered the world championship, which runs from September 1-7.

The Scandinavian Gold Cup is one of the most historic and most prestigious trophies in the sport of sailing, having been first sailed for in 1919 and awarded to the 5.5 Metre class since 1953.

This year the entry list is particularly strong, including multiple winner Artemis (NOR 57, Kristian Nergaard, Johan Barne, Trond Solli Seather), Aspire (POL 17 Mateusz Kusznierewicz, Przemysław Gacek Edward Wright) and the winner of the last two editions, The Jean Genie (GBR 43 Peter Morton, Andrew Palfrey, Ruairadh Scott).

Last year, the championships were held at Porto Cervo, in Sardinia, where teams were tested by a wide range of conditions, however, they face a different challenge for the first few days here in France, when light airs are forecast to prevail. This is likely to favour the Swiss built Wilke hulls that dominate the class, rather than Morton’s David Hollom designed boat that excels in stronger winds.

In the Scandinavian Gold Cup only race wins count. Its unique format involves all non-race winners being excluded after the third race, so the event can be over in three races, or take seven. Either way, it’s always very hard to win. In parallel with the Gold Cup, a total of nine Evolution and Classic boats will competing for the Hanko Cup and the Royal Kaag Classic Cup.

Racing for the world championship then begins on September 1, with a 10 race series scheduled to take place over five days.