“The exciting and ground-breaking developments in the International 6 Metre Class form a unique history in the world of yachting and yacht design.”* Though not the smallest rating class established under The International Rule, it became the most popular and was first selected as an Olympic class in 1908. With “The Rule” revision in 1920, the Sixes grew into an international racing class, attracting top sailors and designers to Olympic competition in 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936 and 1948. Olin Stephens wrote: “Appreciation of individually created art is as old as man himself, but the high status of other useful objects such as yachts has come about in only very recent times with the Six Metres… to be unique contributes value and is surely part of the charm that the Six Metres most certainly have.” – 6mR website

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Photos: Jens Lange, Dana E. Olsen, Chris Ray & SallyAnne Santos