Scandinavian Gold Cup
Encyclopedia
Scandinavian Gold Cup is a sailing race
held annually for 5.5 metre
yachts. It is a nation race, meaning that each participant nation can send only one boat/team. Despite its name, it has been an international competition almost through its entire history, and participating is not limited to Scandinavian nations. The event has been held every year since 1919 (with exception of 1920 and 1940-46) making it one of the oldest active sailing trophies.
The Cup was originally established by one of the oldest Finnish yacht clubs, Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK) in 1919, to celebrate newly achieved Finnish independence, promote sailing and improve relations between Finnish and Swedish yacht racers. At first, the Cup was a challenge competition between Finland and Sweden and it was raced with 40m2 Skerry Cruiser
s. First event was won by Swedes. In 1922, Finns decided to give the trophy for now-popular International 6 Metre
class. It was intended to replace older One Ton Cup
as an international prize for smaller, more affordable racing yachts. 1926 was first year when competitors came outside Nordic countries and Cup was soon established as one of the most coveted in sailing world, attracting famous designers and competitors, including America's Cup
winners.
By end of 1930s, increasing costs began to decrease popularity of 6mR class and it was gradually replaced by cheaper 5 Metre and 5.5 Metre classes. Gold Cup was raced with 5.5 metre boats from 1953 onwards. It has continued to be raced annually, with exception of 1986, when two competitions were held. 2006 Cup was held in Netherlands
, involved 11 nations and was for the first time won by a Dutch team.
Dragon Gold Cup, established in 1937 for Dragon Class
one-design yachts.
Finn Gold Cup, annual World Championship event for Finn
dinghies.
King Edward VII Gold Cup, raced in Bermuda with International One Design
class yachts.
Yacht racing
Yacht racing is the sport of competitive yachting.While sailing groups organize the most active and popular competitive yachting, other boating events are also held world-wide: speed motorboat racing; competitive canoeing, kayaking, and rowing; model yachting; and navigational contests Yacht racing...
held annually for 5.5 metre
5.5 Metre (keelboat)
The International 5.5 Metre Class was created to yield a racing keel boat giving a sailing experience similar to that of the International 6 Metre Class, but at a lower cost....
yachts. It is a nation race, meaning that each participant nation can send only one boat/team. Despite its name, it has been an international competition almost through its entire history, and participating is not limited to Scandinavian nations. The event has been held every year since 1919 (with exception of 1920 and 1940-46) making it one of the oldest active sailing trophies.
The Cup was originally established by one of the oldest Finnish yacht clubs, Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK) in 1919, to celebrate newly achieved Finnish independence, promote sailing and improve relations between Finnish and Swedish yacht racers. At first, the Cup was a challenge competition between Finland and Sweden and it was raced with 40m2 Skerry Cruiser
Skerry Cruiser
thumbSquare Metre Yachts, also known as Skerry Cruisers are types of yachts, usually wooden, which are constructed according to Square Metre Rule. Originating from Sweden, they were historically most popular at Baltic Sea, though some classes also saw popularity in other European countries and USA...
s. First event was won by Swedes. In 1922, Finns decided to give the trophy for now-popular International 6 Metre
6 Metre (keelboat)
The International Six Metre Class is a class of racing yachts. Six Metre boats 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...
class. It was intended to replace older One Ton Cup
One Ton Cup
The One Ton Cup is a sailing trophy open to yachts that displace approximately one ton . It has been raced since 1899 and was awarded by Cercle de la Voile de Paris.From 1999 the Cup will be given to the Corel 45 Class World Championship....
as an international prize for smaller, more affordable racing yachts. 1926 was first year when competitors came outside Nordic countries and Cup was soon established as one of the most coveted in sailing world, attracting famous designers and competitors, including America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
winners.
By end of 1930s, increasing costs began to decrease popularity of 6mR class and it was gradually replaced by cheaper 5 Metre and 5.5 Metre classes. Gold Cup was raced with 5.5 metre boats from 1953 onwards. It has continued to be raced annually, with exception of 1986, when two competitions were held. 2006 Cup was held in Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, involved 11 nations and was for the first time won by a Dutch team.
Other Gold Cups
There are several other sailing trophies going by name 'Gold Cup'. These includeDragon Gold Cup, established in 1937 for Dragon Class
Dragon (keelboat)
thumbThe International Dragon is a one-design keelboat.The Dragon was designed by Norwegian Johan Anker in 1929. In 1948 the Dragon became an Olympic Class, a status it retained until the Munich Olympics in 1972...
one-design yachts.
Finn Gold Cup, annual World Championship event for Finn
Finn (dinghy)
The Finn dinghy is the men's single-handed, cat-rigged Olympic class for sailing. It was designed by Swedish canoe designer, Rickard Sarby, in 1949 for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki...
dinghies.
King Edward VII Gold Cup, raced in Bermuda with International One Design
International One Design
The International One Design is a class of sail boat developed for yacht racing. It is a 33-foot open cockpit day sailer used for day racing, rather than for overnight, or ocean races, such as the Newport–Bermuda Yacht Race...
class yachts.