In Stockholm, Sweden, it has been 45 years, since the last 5.5m boat, "Wasa IV", was built at the Sune Carlsson boatyard. The boat - Gold Medal 1968 in Acapulco - regretfully got lost in a storm on the Lake of Constance in 1974. The penultimate 5.5m boat, built at the yard in 1967, was "John B IV", designed by Alfred E. "Bill" Luders. Leif Carlsson has in the last two years been taking care of that boat and will bring her back to 5.5m racing, in 2014.

She does already look fabulous, not being far away from completion.

" John B IV" - at the Sune Carlsson boatyard

During a visit to the boatyard back in March, 5.5m owners from Finland, Germany and Sweden met both Sune and Leif. They were presenting the boat, foreseen to become a centerpiece for the 50th anniversary of the Sune Carlsson boatyard.

5.5m sailing is a community thing

During the meeting, plans were made to again grow 5.5m sailing in Sweden, by bringing back a World Championship to Swedish waters. The last one had been taking place in 1969, in the waters around Sandhamn.

Recently, in Benodet, the decision was then taken by the Class to nominate Nynäshamn as the venue location, for mid-end August 2015. The local NSS is now working on details and will announce the final timing, at a later stage.

NSS, Nynäshamn - The place to be

Also one of the reasons to opt for Sweden is connected to the "Student Team", the crew of 5.5 SWE 50 "Apriori". They had built their boat and did come in second to "Wasa IV", in the 1968 Swedish elimination races for Acapulco. Jan Gustavsson and the Kellner brothers are showing, that enthusiasm and personal effort combined with the enjoyment to meet at & after the races, are the key factors of this unique sailing class.

"Apriori" is racing again - an example to follow

So, where is the Christmas gift? We do have news, that triggered by the 2015 Championship there are plans for a newly built Swedish 5.5m boat. Design options are already being considered and we do look forward to this exiting novelty. Maybe other 5.5m sailors from the Nordic countries may want to join in to participate in a small series of that new Modern design, built in Stockholm - We will definitely come to cheer the boat(s)!

Seasons Greetings,