Int. 5.5 Metre Class - August 2026 Newsletter
by Robert Deaves 25 Aug 18:06 BST
1 October 2026
Opening shot: 2025 Scandinavian Gold Cup winners - Marie Françoise XXII © Robert Deaves
Greece is calling - World Championship & Scandinavian Gold Cup 2026
This autumn, the 5.5 Metre Class is heading to Greece — with warm weather, Olympic spirit and hopefully great wind. The Scandinavian Gold Cup starts on 1 October 2026. The 5.5 Metre World Championship follows from 5 to 9 October 2026 in Lavrion, Greece.
The event will be hosted by the Yacht Club of Greece at Olympic Marine, close to Athens. The Yacht Club of Greece is one of the great names in Mediterranean sailing. Its clubhouse in Piraeus has a truly special location, with views over Athens, the Parthenon and the Saronic Gulf — a wonderful setting for an international 5.5mR gathering.
Around 20 boats from 10 countries are expected, including several Evolution and Classic boats. It promises to be a strong and very international fleet.
For many teams, the journey will already be part of the adventure. Superfast Ferries offers special conditions for 5.5mR boat transport from Italy to Greece for the Worlds. This can make the trip south much easier — especially for teams combining Chiemsee, Garda and Lavrion in one autumn tour.
5.5classworlds2026.ycg.gr
German Open at Chiemsee - 27-30 August 2026
Before Greece, the fleet meets at one of Germany's most beautiful sailing venues.
The German Open 2026 will be hosted by the Seebrucker Regatta-Verein at Chiemsee, around 100 km south-east of Munich. Around 15 boats from 4 countries are already expected.
The plan is simple: good racing, up to 10 races, Bavarian hospitality, good food — and, of course, good beer.
Chiemsee is also a smart stop for many northern teams on the way south. Race at the German Open, enjoy a few days in Bavaria, and then continue towards Garda and Greece.
Multi Nations Cup in Malcesine - 10-13 September 2026
The next major stop is Malcesine on Lake Garda, hosted by the renowned Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
The Multi Nations Cup 2026 brings together several national 5.5mR events and is one of the key stops on the road to the Worlds. Around 18 boats are currently expected.
For many teams, Malcesine is also a perfect logistics point. Sail the regatta, leave the boat in Italy, and organise the onward transport to Lavrion from there.
Malcesine is one of Europe's classic sailing venues. The town is beautiful, the mountains are close, and the wind system is famous. In the morning, the Peler often blows from the north. In the afternoon, the Ora usually fills in from the south. In short: a great place to race 5.5s.
Did you know? The Gold Cup is older than the 5.5 Metre Class
The Scandinavian Gold Cup dates back to 1919. It was donated by the Finnish yacht club Nyländska Jaktklubben to celebrate Finland's newly won independence and to strengthen the friendship between Finnish and Swedish sailors.
The first International 5.5 Metres were built in 1949. Just four years later, in 1953, the Scandinavian Gold Cup was transferred to the 5.5 Metre Class — and it has been part of our class story ever since.
What makes the Gold Cup so special is its proud national spirit. For every team, it means carrying your national colours, sharing the water with great sailors from other countries, and becoming part of a tradition that connects generations.
So if your team has ever thought about joining: the Gold Cup is one of the great 5.5mR experiences. It is not only about winning a trophy. It is about being part of a story that began more than 100 years ago.
Annual Meeting - Your voice counts
The Annual General Meeting of the International 5.5 Metre Class Association will take place on October 4 prior to the World Championship in Lavrion. Members and friends of the Class are invited to join and owners who cannot attend may be represented by another 5.5mR owner by proxy, and online participation details can be shared on request as well.
Please send any topics, motions or proposals in writing to Liz Haines (), Class Secretary by September 1, 2026 so they can be included in the official invitation and circulated three weeks prior to the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you there and if you have any questions in the meantime please contact Liz.
Your participation helps shape the future of our class.
Special Deals for 5.5mR
Do you have a useful offer for 5.5mR sailors? Please send us a short note.
We will try to include them in the next newsletter, as long as they are very short, clear and useful for the class.
August & September deals:
North Sails
Christoph Burger offers 15% discount on all Inshore One Design North products until end September.
Contact: +41 79 277 75 13
Cockpit covers
Wölfi Richter offers cockpit covers for €575.
Contact: +49 160 97912371
Robert Deaves photos
High-resolution 5.5mR photos and prints and commercial photo licences available. robertdeaves.smugmug.com/55-Metre
Superfast Ferries
Special conditions for 5.5mR boat transport from Italy to Greece for the Worlds.
Contact:
fivepointfive magazine
The 2026 magazine can be downloaded or read online HERE.