12mr yacht jenetta

Published on August 17th, 2021 | by Editor

Jenetta: Back and better than ever

Published on August 17th, 2021 by Editor -->

The 2021 12 Metre World Championship is being held August 17-21, with nine vintage teams crossing tacks in Helsinki, Finland. Each boat has a story, with one in particular left for dead but now back and better than ever.

From the drafting table of renowned Scots naval architect Alfred Mylne and launched in 1939, Jenetta (K-1) design #395 was one of four 12mRs commissioned by Sir William Burton.

An accomplished gentleman sailor and president of the International Yacht Racing Union (now World Sailing), Burton had served as helmsman on Sir Thomas Lipton’s J-Class Shamrock IV for the 1920 America’s Cup.

Jenetta (K-1) joined the English 12mR racing scene at Cowes (GBR) along with Tomahawk (K-13), Flica II (K-14), and Vim (US-15). With her long waterline, K-1 was fast but Vim with Harold Vanderbilt at the helm was nearly unbeatable. On only one occasion did Jenetta prevail when she won a 27 nm race by just 2 seconds!

After Burton’s death in 1942, Jenetta’s ownership passed to A.W. Steven and in 1953 to the Urry family of Vancouver (CAN) who converted her to a ketch in 1957. As her condition progressively declined throughout the 1960s and ’70s, she was removed from Lloyd’s Register in 1976 and sank into Pitt Lake in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

It was there where Jenetta was rescued by Oliver Berking in 2009 to become the third 12mR brought back to life at the Robbe & Berking Shipyard in Germany. Work began in 2017 and she was relaunched on May 25, 2019.

Although only her lead keel, some planking, and end sections of her deck and hull were saved, original Mylne designs were used to rebuild parts that were irretrievably lost. Since her “re-birth” she has proved to be as fast as originally envisioned by Mylne. With her long sleek waterline and unique tartan plaid topsides (representing the University of Glasgow, Mylne’s alma mater), she is a head-turner!

Now, with state-of-the-art deck layouts, hardware and sail plans throughout the Vintage fleet, Vim no longer has the Vanderbilt advantage. For the past two seasons, Jenetta has been very competitive with the top 12s in the Baltic fleet. Heading for the 2021 12mR Worlds, Jenetta current owners and crew have high expectations.

Event details: https://12mrworlds.com/

Jenetta emerging from the bottom of Lake Pitt in 2009 (left) and from Robbe & Berking Shipyard in 2019 (right). © Robbe & Berking

Tags: 12 Metre , 12 Metre World Championship , Jenetta

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Elegant Jenetta - Robbe & Berking photo

Jenetta raised from the depths and headed to 12-Metre Worlds

From the drafting table of Scotland’s renowned naval architect Alfred Mylne and launched in 1939, Jenetta (K-1), design #395 was one of four 12mRs commissioned by Sir William Burton.

An accomplished gentleman sailor, and president of the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU, now World Sailing), Burton had served as helmsman on Sir Thomas Lipton’s J-Class Shamrock IV for the 1920 America’s Cup.

Jenetta (K-1) joined the English 12mR racing scene at Cowes, Isle of Wight along with Tomahawk (K-13), Flica II (K-14) and Vim (US-15). With her long waterline K-1 was fast, but Vim with Harold Vanderbilt at the helm was nearly unbeatable. On only one occasion did Jenetta prevail when she won a 27 nm race by just 2 seconds!

After Burton’s death in 1942, Jenetta’s ownership passed to A.W. Steven and in 1953 to the Urry family of Vancouver (CA) who converted her to a ketch in 1957. As her condition progressively declined throughout the 1960s-70s she was removed from Lloyd’s Register in 1976 and sank into Pitt Lake where she remained until…

Rescued by Oliver Berking in 2009 Jenetta became the third 12 Metre brought back to life at the Robbe & Berking Shipyard. Work began in 2017 and she was relaunched on May 25, 2019. Although only her lead keel, some planking and end sections of her deck and hull were saved, original Mylne designs were used to rebuild parts that were irretrievably lost.

Since her ‘re-birth’ she has proved to be as fast as originally envisioned by Mylne. With her long sleek waterline and unique tartan plaid topsides (representing the University of Glasgow, Mylne’s alma mater) she is a head-turner!

You won’t believe how bad she looked coming out of the lake.

For the full story and video, go to: https://12mrworlds.com/

Courtesy WindlasCreative

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Alfred Mylne 12mR Jenetta is Back

Oliver Berking, owner and founder of Robbe & Berking Classics from Flensburg, has once again fulfilled a dream: five years ago, he discovered a wreck in a lake in Canada. It is the longest ever built 12mR yacht, designed in 1939, and re-commissioned on this day Saturday May 25, 2019

At that time, only the lead keel could be salvaged, but all was transported to Flensburg for a 1.5 million euros full restoration. Now extensively restored Jenetta will be on her way with the goal of participating in the 12 Metre World Championship July 8 – 13, in Newport, Rhode Island, United States.

Alfred Mylne 12mR Jenetta – Classic Yacht Registry of Heritage

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• New construction and restoration

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JENETTA is another spectacular project at Robbe & Berking Classics. We are restoring the 3rd rule 12 Metre class yacht JENETTA, designed by Alfred Mylne, who was one of the most experienced 12 Metre designers in the world. Mylne designed her in 1939 for Sir William Burton and she was the 4th and last 12 Metre for Burton who was the best English gentleman sailor in the 1920s and president of the I.Y.R.U. at that time, being the helmsman of Shamrock IV in the 1920 Americas Cup for his friend and business partner Sir Thomas Lipton. In 1939 not less than four new Twelves entered the English regatta scene, with JENETTA being the most promising

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Die neusten Bilder von Jenetta

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JENETTA is another spectacular project at Robbe & Berking Classics. We are restoring the 3rd rule 12 Metre class yacht JENETTA, designed by Alfred Mylne, who was one of the most experienced 12 Metre designers in the world. Mylne designed her in 1939 for Sir William Burton and she was the 4th and last 12 Metre for Burton who was the best English gentleman sailor in the 1920s and president of the I.Y.R.U. at that time, being the helmsman of Shamrock IV in the 1920 Americas Cup for his friend and business partner Sir Thomas Lipton. In 1939 not less than four new Twelves entered the English regatta scene, with JENETTA being the most promising construction besides of T.O.M. Sopwith´s TOMAHAWK. During the 1939 races JENETTA was the only boat being capable of beating Vanderbilt`s 1939 S&S construction VIM by 2 seconds on a 27nm race. VIM´s dominance on the track back then is sad to be based on Vanderbilt´s exceptional sailing abilities and the fact that VIM was hard to beat on the upwind leg due to the grinder/ winch setup which enabled the crew to tack rather quickly. During the upcoming season Jenetta will once more proof her potential as soon as she has been launched in spring to participate in the 12mR circuit in the Baltic Sea and to continue the race history of those good old days.

Related article

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12 Metre Worlds

Official website of the International Twelve Metre Class World Championships

Tag: Jenetta

Raised from the depths, jenetta is poised to continue her ascent to the 2021 12mr worlds podium.

From the drafting table of renowned Scots naval architect Alfred Mylne and launched in 1939, Jenetta (K-1), design #395 was one of four 12mRs commissioned by Sir William Burton. An accomplished gentleman sailor and president of the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU, now World Sailing), Burton had served as helmsman on Sir Thomas Lipton’s J-Class Shamrock IV for the 1920 America’s Cup.

Jenetta (K-1) joined the English 12mR racing scene at Cowes (GB) along with Tomahawk (K-13), Flica II (K-14) and Vim (US-15). With her long waterline K-1 was fast, but Vim with Harold Vanderbilt at the helm was nearly unbeatable. On only one occasion did Jenetta prevail when she won a 27 nm race by just 2 seconds!

After Burton’s death in 1942, Jenetta’s ownership passed to A.W. Steven and in 1953 to the Urry family of Vancouver (CA) who converted her to a ketch in 1957. As her condition progressively declined throughout the 1960s-70s she was removed from Lloyd’s Register in 1976 and sank into Pitt Lake where she remained until…

Rescued by Oliver Berking in 2009 Jenetta became the third 12mR brought back to life at the Robbe & Berking Shipyard. Work began in 2017 and she was relaunched on May 25, 2019. Although only her lead keel, some planking and end sections of her deck and hull were saved, original Mylne designs were used to rebuild parts that were irretrievably lost. Since her “re-birth” she has proved to be as fast as originally envisioned by Mylne. With her long sleek waterline and unique tartan* plaid topsides (representing the University of Glasgow, Mylne’s alma mater) she is a head-turner!

Now, with state-of-the-art deck layouts, hardware and sail plans throughout the Vintage fleet, Vim no longer has the Vanderbilt advantage. For the past 2 seasons, Jenetta has been very competitive with the top 12s in the Baltic fleet. Heading for the 2021 12mR Worlds, Jenetta current owners and crew have high expectations.

Visit the Jenetta website for more information about (K-1) and her team.

View short but stunning Jenetta rebuild video by Robbe & Berking 

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Blue marlin: “fit to fight” at 2020 12mr worlds.

“A major inspiration to host the 12mR World Championship in Helsinki, Finland next summer was the recent rebuild of Blue Marlin (FIN-1), said 2020 12mR Worlds Event Chairman and FIN-1 owner, Henrik Andersin. Thanks to her extensive refit (completed in 2014), the North European fleet of racing 12 metres now extends to the northernmost shores of the Baltic Sea. With her return to the racecourse, she is the first 12 to compete in Finnish waters since Heatherbell returned to England in 1914, exactly 100 years prior to Blue Marlin’s re-launch. ( Heatherbell, a First Rule 12, won a bronze medal for Finland at the 1912 Olympics Games.)

Since her re-launch, Blue Marlin has been actively racing and cruising, participating in one major event per year. She has traveled to Sweden, Denmark, Germany and just returned to the Red Sky Shipyard in Kotka, after sailing in the United States at the 2019 12mR World Championship held in Newport, Rhode Island.

Based on his experience at the Worlds last summer, Andersin eagerly anticipates racing Blue Marlin against a substantial fleet of Vintage division 12s in his home waters. “At Newport we had a good 23 starts, we learned to sail hard and to never give up. We continued to improve throughout the series of Waypoints to the Worlds regattas and were gratified with our third place finish in the Vintage division. Also, we are very pleased with Blue Marlin’ s performance; she is as solid as a rock and can take what is needed to win. Now with a new rig and modern sails we are fully fit for fighting and can’t wait to meet Jenetta (K-1) on the starting line for the first time next August.”

For more info, please email: Henrik Andersin

Helsinki, Finland to Host 2020 12 Metre World Championship

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Helsinki, Finland to Host 2020 12 Metre World Championship: A Historic Gathering of the 12mR Fleet is Expected

HELSINKI (September 3, 2019) – After a phenomenal 12 Metre World Championship in Newport, RI (USA), the NJK yacht club in Helsinki and the International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA) are moving at full speed to organize the next 12mR Worlds in Helsinki from August 16-23, 2020.

Approximately 15-20 12mR yachts raced by teams from a dozen countries are expected to compete. The European vintage fleet will be well represented and the organizers have high hopes for representatives for Modern and Grand Prix division boats well.

Blue Marlin (FIN-1) and the 2017 European champion Wings (K-15) raced by a Danish-Finnish syndicate, will both sail under the flag of the event host NJK– the oldest yacht club in Finland, founded in 1863.

It has been more than 30 years since the memorable 1988 12mR Worlds at Luleå — the last 12 Metre World Championship to be sailed in the Northern Baltic. ITMA Vice President Patrick Howaldt said: “The rapidly growing interest for the Twelves in Northern Europe is a testimony to the Class. Combined with NJK’s reputation for world-class racing, glamorous social events and vibrant Helsinki location, we expect the 2020 Worlds to exceed every 12mR event previously raced in the Baltic.

The fleet will include the 2019 European Champion, Howaldt’s famous Sparkman & Stephens design Vim (US-15), The recently rebuilt Jenetta (K-1) and Wilfried Beeck’s Trivia (K-10), both representing Germany, will also face off against the reigning 12mR Vintage Champion, Patrizio Bertelli’s Nyala (US-12) representing Italy and the Southern Europe 12mR fleet.

“After sailing Blue Marlin since 2014 in Continental Europe and recently in Newport, it will be exciting to race in my hometown waters with a fleet of impressive size,” said 2020 Worlds event chairman, Henrik Andersin. “This will be a historic occasion for us, no 12 Metre has raced in Finland since WWI. We are hopeful that all 15 of the Northern European 12mR fleet will participate and be joined by additional 12s from Southern Europe and the United States as well as some of the oldest gaff-rigged 12s in Europe.”

The organizers are currently working on logistics solutions that would enable participants from other continents to have their boats skipped to Helsinki for a reasonable fee.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL 12 METRE CLASS The 112 year-old International 12 Metre Class encompasses a living history of racing yacht design by the world’s foremost naval architects including Olin Stephens, Clinton Crane, William Fife III, Philip Rhodes, Johan Anker, Ben Lexcen and more who pushed their designs to the very limits of innovation. The resulting boats represented the pinnacle of yacht development from 1907-1987 for the highest levels of international sailing competition– the Olympic Games (1908-1920) and the America’s Cup (1958-1987). www.12mrclass.com

For more information visit: https://12mrworlds.com/ or Henrik Andersin [email protected]

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram . #12MetreWorlds2019, @12mRWorldChampionship

Event Chairman: Henrik Andersin [email protected]

Sponsorship: Thomas Ahlström [email protected]

Media & Comms: Kim Weckström [email protected]

Social: Edward Krogius edvard.krogius@ gmail.com

Logistics: Kristian Räme [email protected]

Social Responsibility & On Shore Activities: Johanna Catani [email protected]

Program Management: Carolina Andersin [email protected]

International 12 Metre Class: SallyAnne Santos [email protected]

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Home » Blog » World Championship -Race Day3 -and then there was silence

World Championship -Race Day3 -and then there was silence

• August 23, 2021

Race Day 3 (August 21) 2 Races (R6 & R7)

Race Day3 -and then there was silence HELSINKI, FI (August 21, 2021) – All nine of the Vintage 12mR fleet competing at the 2021 Evli 12mR World Championship returned to the racecourse this morning after an evening of cooperation between crews to repair damages sustained during Friday’s heavy-weather sailing.

A true testament to the durability of Vintage 12mR yachts and of the commitment shown by those who care for these historic racing boats.

Race One – or sixth in the now completed seven-race 2021 Evli 12mR World Championship series hosted by Nyländska Jaktklubben, NJK –started at 10:05 EEST, south of Isosaari Island in 4-6 knots of breeze from the WSW (240 °) and calm seas.

Wings (K-15) took an early lead but was quickly passed by Vim (US-15) on the first upwind leg. Blue Marlin (FIN-1) benefited from a wind shift that found her in first place around the weather mark followed by Vim (US-15), who subsequently overtook her on the downwind leg.

Meanwhile, Nini Anker (K-14) had gybed to the right side of the course and squeezed out Vim (US-15) for the first-place finish. Vim (US-15) and Blue Marlin (US-15) finished in second and third places respectively.

Jenetta (K-1) was after removing the torn mainsail Friday, unable to repair the race mainsail. The only option was to replace it with the much smaller touring mainsail, which is used for deliveries of the boat to regattas. If the weather conditions for these last two races had been like the conditions Friday, the problem had been small. However, the wind Saturday was very light and occasionally disappearing, unfortunately. Therefore Jenetta (K-1) had a lack of speed compared to the competitors with much larger race mainsails, and Jenetta (K-1) with this handicap, was forced to a more aggressive and uncompromising tactic with more risk.

Just after the start of R6 Jenetta (K-1) went on her port bow to the right side away from the fleet.

A dark horizon indicated a possibility of future gain on the right side of the first upwind, where the wind was almost completely disappearing. Being on the heels in lack of speed Jenetta (K-1) went to the edge on the right side almost into the island Isosaari, but the breeze came back to the race area a little further away from the island Isosaari, which Vim (US-15) and Nini Anker (N-15) did benefit from.

Due to the dying wind, the R6 course was shortened.

After completing Race One in a dying breeze, NJK’s Race Committee hoisted the AP flag indicating a delay until sufficient wind was established and the course could be properly adjusted — one final test of patience for the ready-to-race crews.

Race Two (R7) got underway at 13:20 EEST in 8 knots of wind, this final contest now being watched by a fleet of more than 60 spectator boats.

The 12mRs did not disappoint;

an exciting start and close racing with multiple crossing tacks, gybes, and lead changes added to the exciting finale of the epic week-long series. 

After the final race (R7) the fleet (except 1 boat) sailed honor parade through the channel of the old fortress islands of Suomenlinna.

New 2021 12mR World Champion; Vim (US-15).

-Congratulations Patrick & Vim Crew, really well done 🇩🇰

SportTrec World Championship Helsinki 2021

12MR WORLDS - DAY 5 replay starts at 0:05 and 3:20

• 2021 ELVI 12 Metre World Championship , Race Day3

The special boat : Resurrection of the twelve-person "Jenetta"

YACHT-Redaktion

 ·  01.09.2021

Text by Luisa Schumann

It is a mild evening in the middle of June, a light breeze is blowing across the Flensburg Fjord, the excitement of an upcoming regatta is in the air. In front of the clubhouse of the Flensburg Sailing Club, older and younger sailors bustle about, greetings are shouted, boats are slipped, masts are set. While the smaller six-metre yachts and 5.5s are still arriving or the boats are being prepared on their road trailers, nine of the ten 12mR yachts that will be competing in the Robbe & Berking Sterling Cup in the coming days are already ready to sail on the jetty.

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Hidden among them, at the end of the jetty, is the star of the regatta, wrapped in a tartan dress made of foil: the "Jenetta". A few weeks ago, the new old ship was able to experience its second launch, the first of which was a proud 80 years ago: 2019 marks the rebirth of the "Jenetta".

• RESTORATION: The second launch of the twelve-passenger "Jenetta"

If you want to stick with the image of "Jenetta" as a star, Oliver Berking is her manager, so to speak. He discovered her, refurbished her and helped her to new fame. The founder of the Robbe & Berking Classics shipyard has long been passionate about yachts with history, especially those built according to the 12-mR formula.

Berking is busy walking back and forth on the jetty, chatting and shaking hands. On this Wednesday evening, he is not only the manager of a boat star, but also the organiser of the regatta starting the next day, the Sterling Cup. As a passionate 12-metre enthusiast, he begins to share his knowledge of the historic class as if on cue. "The 12mR formula was created in 1906 when representatives from eleven countries came together in London to draft a standard that would unify the rules for racing yachts internationally. Up until then, everyone had built their boat the way they wanted. And when these boats competed against each other, it was of course difficult to determine who was actually the best sailor."

"Jenetta" looked like a "children's birthday party with a campfire"

Berking strolls along the 12 mR yachts and reels off their history. If the yachts were books, they would be aged, thick tomes, some with new covers, others with older ones, but all full to bursting with marvellous episodes about their varied existence.

"And this here is the fastest 12-mR yacht, but nobody knows that yet," Berking comes to stand in front of his star. The "Jenetta" lies quietly between the other ships, the crew has now been training three times. "It's simply all new, everything is happening for the first time," summarises Berking.

Eleven years ago, the yacht, designed in 1939, looked anything but glamorous: Neglected by her previous owner, she was rotting away on a jetty on Pitt Lake near Vancouver, Canada. When a thunderstorm came up on Christmas Day 2008, the rotten wood gave way and the old lady sank to her mooring. Berking, who says he knows the whereabouts of every Twelve ever built, had been following the situation of the Scottish-built boat with concern for some time. When she finally sank, he received several phone calls asking whether he had heard about "Jenetta's" fate and what he intended to do now.

Naturally, a situation like this did not leave the twelve-boat enthusiast cold, and so he persuaded the Canadian owner to sell him the remains of the yacht. According to Berking, she looked terrifying, completely rotten with traces of fire in the interior. "As if it had been used for a children's birthday party. With a bonfire!" In 2010, the wreck was salvaged from the Canadian lake and transported to the fjord, which Berking organised together with a Flensburg logistics company.

"Jenetta" does not fully survive salvage

A sailor pushes past Berking on the packed jetty and pats him on the shoulder: "Well, Oliver, all the sheep together?" Berking laughs, "yes, I'm standing here like a shepherd". In fact, the majority of the yachts are kept in the Robbe & Berking Classics hangar in winter, and so the shipyard manager looks after his treasures, especially in the off-season. When another sailor congratulates him on his latest success, the "Jenetta", the grin on Berking's face widens even more - he had to take special care of this little sheep. After all, there was a pile of boat parts lying in front of the shipyard in Glücksburg at the time, as the hull of the "Jenetta" had not survived the salvage operation in its entirety. Now it was up to Berking to find an owner for this "pile of yacht". But why salvage a wreck only to build it almost from scratch?

First of all, there are very few of the much sought-after and much-loved 12 mR yachts in the world. Between the establishment of the rule at the beginning of the 20th century and 1987, around 170 yachts of this class were built; today, just over 100 of them still exist. Furthermore, the "Jenetta" is one of the few ships that were built according to the third version of the metre class rule, the so-called Third Rule. "The rules were of course amended so that faster boats could be built. And so the Third Rule ships are quite simply the fastest," summarises Berking.

According to ITMA rules, "Jenetta" may only be restored, not rebuilt

The formula was introduced in 1933, but then came the Second World War and no more ships were built for the time being. It was not until the end of the war that yacht building picked up again. And after the twelve-oars had already served as an Olympic boat class in 1908, 1912 and 1920, they were used to sail for the America's Cup from 1958 to 1987. In 1988, a new class with larger and faster boats was established for the America's Cup. This marked the end of the era of the classic 12-mR designs.

Another reason why Oliver Berking had the wreck salvaged: According to the rules of the International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA), only one 12 metre yacht may be built according to each drawn design - so the "Jenetta" could not be rebuilt, only restored. This meant that at least parts of her old self had to be used in the new version. According to the ITMA statutes, this must be at least 50 per cent. As the keel weighs 17 tonnes and the original boat 27 tonnes, this requirement has been met.

The yacht's keel was laid in 2017. Work began on the deck with the frames made of ash wood and stainless steel, and the hull was turned a few months later. The Flensburg boat builders planked the deck and hull in mahogany.

The morning of the first regatta day at the Robbe & Berking Sterling Cup presents itself from its sunniest side. A glance at the fjord shows marvellous conditions; sailors in shorts scurry across the jetty, a grin can be seen on almost everyone's face. Only one team is not in the mood to smile, because the winches on the "Jenetta" are on strike; there is no question of setting sail for the time being. Instead of resorting to modern products, the owner and project management of the "Jenetta" decided to rebuild the original winches.

Owner trio sails regattas

The team members really try everything to get the gearboxes in shape before the first start, but it soon becomes clear that replacement winches are needed. What luck that the Robbe & Berking Classics shipyard is only a stone's throw away. Until they are swapped, however, it's a case of waiting and watching the others set sail. The team members of the "Jenetta" scowl as they disembark one by one. Oliver Berking also looks a little grim. "It's really annoying that this has happened!" The owner and crew deserved to be at the start of the first race here today.

The owner trio of the "Jenetta" consists of three businessmen from northern Germany: Sven Dose, Thomas "Thommy" Müller and Mathias Wagner. Müller will be at the helm for the first two days of the regatta, but Sven Dose will also take over the helmsman's position from time to time. They have agreed that the person who is not steering will sail the mainsail.

Müller is a successful kite sailor with one World Champion and two Gold Cup titles. Of all three owners, he has probably competed in the most regattas in recent years. And Mathias Wagner? "He's the most experienced and best backstay sailor I've ever seen," Thomas Müller blurts out. No wonder, as he sailed for many years on the 12 metre MR yacht "Sphinx" before buying the "Jenetta".

Alfred Mylne designed "Jenetta" in 1939

And so each of the three owners describes the new baby in different words: While Mathias Wagner finds it "simply great" to move the lady across the fjord, Sven Dose calls the yacht a "racing goat" compared to his touring boat. And Thommy Müller explains that the "Jenetta" is comparable to a large kite due to its long keel and 7/8 rig, but "much, much harder to get going". The 15-strong crew, which the owners have put together from former fellow sailors, friends and professionals, helps to get the boat going. "We are very, very happy with our crew," explains Müller. "They do a great job."

Meanwhile, Berking, who has several children, relaxes a little on his sleek wooden commuter yacht, which is used as a support vessel: "This regatta is often my only opportunity all year to get out on the water." On board the motor yacht this time is an international guest: David Gray, the head of Mylne Yacht Design. Alfred Mylne, who founded the design office in 1896, designed the "Jenetta" in 1939, and the yacht was built a second time according to his plans. Soon after the Hulk was salvaged in Canada, it became clear that nothing could be preserved apart from the lead keel, but the designers at the Flensburg shipyard stuck strictly to the original plans during the restoration - they didn't want a new boat, but to bring the old one back to life.

Origin of the name is unclear

Around 20,000 hours of work and a lot of passion later, David Gray has travelled to witness the rebirth of the historic yacht. His eyes light up when he talks about the training he was able to experience on the "Jenetta" last day: "It was wonderful, such a great honour. This design, this art! I haven't seen such great quality on a ship for a long time." Although he did not inherit the design office, but bought it a few years ago, he now knows the founder almost as well as his father. His book about Alfred Mylne, for which he has done a lot of research in recent years, is due to be published at the end of this year.

And so Gray begins to tell the story of the Glasgow-born designer, who lived from 1872 to 1951 and created more than 400 yachts. "Alfred Mylne was typically Scottish, very modest and did not advertise himself," explains Gray. "Nevertheless, he soon became very well known, as yachts designed by him won many other regattas around the world as well as Olympic ones." Between 1896 and 1946, Mylne designs were created in Germany, Sweden, New Zealand, Argentina, Uruguay, Australia and Japan, among others. The Scotsman designed more than ten 12-mR yachts, but the "Jenetta" was something special for him: at the age of 67 and the political turmoil, Mylne probably suspected that this could be the last yacht to come from his pen.

The ship was commissioned by Sir William Burton, who had made his fortune in sugar and had skippered the "Shamrock IV" in the 1920 America's Cup, in which he was only narrowly defeated by the American challengers. It is no longer possible to clearly reconstruct where the "Jenetta" got her name, but one thing is clear: the elderly Mr Alfred Mylne put a great deal of passion and emotion into this design.

"Jenetta" adorns herself with a foiled tartan skirt

In honour of the great designer, the shipyard and owner have decided to decorate the hull of the yacht for the first season with a tartan pattern, the traditional pattern of the region where Alfred Mylne comes from. Not everyone who looks at the yacht's tartan is particularly taken with it: many think it should have been left in its original wooden look instead of being covered under a film. But David Gray is behind the idea: "If you had the opportunity back then to paint a yacht in the colours of a tartan pattern, I'm sure Mylne would have done it," he says with a grin. "At least he wouldn't have minded!" Mylne liked things that caused a bit of controversy; the conformity of British society was repugnant to the Scotsman.

And so, in the year of her 80th birthday, the yacht designed by Alfred Mylne sails gently to the starting line of a classic regatta in northern Germany. The history of the ship can hardly be reconstructed, some previous owners have been identified, but the "Jenetta" has no particular regatta history, reports Oliver Berking. With the exception of one legendary race because of the result: in a regatta in 1939, "Jenetta" beat the successful American-built "Vim", which won 19 out of 28 races that season.

Second-longest 12-mR yacht ever built

After that, the Scottish yacht does not appear to have competed in any further races. But that is not noticeable today on the Flensburg Fjord. Without any problems, the Nautiquity joins the pearl necklace of 12 metre MR yachts at the starting line. After the shot she keeps up for a long time, but after a few hundred metres she sinks to leeward. In sixth place, "Jenetta" rounds the windward mark, then makes up a few places on the next lap and is in third place on the following rounding of the windward mark.

The newborn ship sails extremely fast downwind. This may be due to the fact that the "Jenetta" is the second longest 12 metre R yacht ever built. The 27-tonne ship rushes across the Flensburg Fjord under a light blue spinnaker; tactician Malte Philipp has obviously opted for the right-hand side of the downwind course. The yacht "Vim", which is just in second place, sails over the left downwind side, the two 1939-designed yachts appear to be on an equal footing. And indeed: "Jenetta" rounds the leeward gate ahead of "Vim", which she had already beaten in 1939. A short finishing cross follows. When the "Jenetta" crosses the finish line in second place behind the "Trivia", there is great joy.

"I'm incredibly touched," says David Gray with shining eyes. The 80-year-old Scot may not have much left in material terms, but there is one thing she can certainly still do today - and perhaps even more so than in her first life: To inspire passion and emotion for the sport of sailing and its great history.

Technical data of the twelve-person "Jenetta"

• Design engineer: Alfred Mylne
• Year of construction: 1939
• Material: Mahogany planked
• Restoration: 2017-2019
• Shipyard: Robbe & Berking Classics
• Torso length: 21,70 m
• Waterline length: 14,20 m
• Width: 3,7 m
• Weight: 27,0 t
• sail area: 170 m2

This article first appeared in YACHT 16/2019 and has been updated for this online version.

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