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Sail number |
FIN 59 |
FIRST YEARS
Originally named Marja, this yacht was designed by the famous Finnish-born designer
Gustaf Estlander (1876-1930) for himself. At that time Estlander was living in Sweden and
he had also changed his nationality to Swedish in order to get the possibility to design
yachts representing Sweden in the Gold Cup and One-ton Cup races. The yacht was build
by Arendals Yard in Gothenburg in 1929; thus she was one of the last designs from
Estlander and also one of his masterpieces which was for several years the most victorious
6mR yacht in the Gothenburg area.
Already after half a season Estlander renamed Marja to Zuleika. With Zuleika he won all
three races at the NJK Autumn Regatta in August 1929. This was the last time he raced in
Finland as he died later that year. For the 1930 season the yacht was bought by H.G.
Turitz who renamed her Ian. With Arvid Schulz as the helmsman, Ian won the Gold Gup in
1930. The yacht represented Sweden in the 1931 and 1932 Gold Cup races, but was
beaten on both occasions by the norwegian yacht Abu.
In November 1932 Ian was sold to Håkan Ekman who renamed her Oldian although the
yacht was still quite young. He sailed her from victory to victory.
During the late thirties Oldian changed owner twice but didn't change her name until in
1942 when she was sold to Gunnar Johnson. Under the name Yrsa the yacht got a
deckhouse but continued succesful racing until 1948.
The next owner, Sten Fernstedt, loved the old yacht so much that he let build an all new
yacht of the same design in 1955. This Yacht got the name Chibaba and it also got the
lead keel from Yrsa. The original yacht stayed ashore for several years but in the mid-
sixties she sailed again with a keel made of concrete!
In 1967 she was sold to Peter Ottoson who gave her the old name Ian and a new lead keel
of original design. She also got her original sail number S 29 and a new aluminium mast.
Her last Swedish owner was Peter Lake who "knighted" her to Sir Ian. Lake also built her a
flush deck and repaired the hull, and she won races again.
In 1988 Sir Ian was bought to Finland by a syndicate of Pertti Koiranen, Kimmo Kienanen
and Antti Räsänen. She got the sail number L 59. The ownership hasn't changed since
although there are new members in the syndicate: Hannu Krohn and Harri Raikamo (not
forgetting Roni Saksi who sailed successfully as Sir Ian's helmsman for several years).
RENOVATION HISTORY
As mentioned above, the yacht had a deckhouse from 1943 to 1985. Having stayed ashore
for a long time and equipped with a M�lar-30 mast and a concrete keel she must have
been in a lousy condition in the 60's but fortunately the following owners appreciated the
old beauty as she deserved and laid themselves out to renovate her quite thoroughly. She
got also a new teak deck to replace the original oregone pine.
Thus Sir Ian was in a reasonably good condition when coming to Finland, but at the age at
nearly 70 years there were of course soft spots in the old wood. The owner syndicate
started an extensive renovation of the hull in 1996; the keel batten and the lower part of
the planking was replaced, and the seams of the upper part at the planking were made
water-tight by adding thin strips of mahogany.
After having lost her rig in Viaporin Tuoppi race in 1993, Sir Ian got a new one, with the
mast profile designed by Kimmo Kienanen. This mast profile has also been used by other
6mR yachts.
BEST RACE RESULTS
1930 Gold Cup, Gothenburg, winner
1932 Gothenburg Regatta, winner
1993 Nordic Championship, Mariehamn, 1/15
1994 Hangö Regatta, 1/9
RECENT YEARS
During the ten years in Finland, the absolutely gratest victory (so far) has been the 6mR
Nordic Championship in Mariehamn 1993. Of six starts Sir Ian won three.
Sir Ian has also brought victories, from different regattas and races in Finland.
In the extremely light winds in Sandhamn, Sweden, in the 6mR World Championship races
1995 didn't do as well because she got extra water ballast from leakages. And because
of the renovation she wasn't defending her championship in the Nordic Championship
races in 1998.
In November 2001 the yacht was sold to Michael & Sini Cedercreutz.
2002
This was our first season sailing with Ian, so there was a lot to learn! Even though we live
in Paris, we managed to participate in the following regattas/races:
Helsinki Regatta 29-30.6 (first day only due to halyard problems)
Hangö Regatta 5-7.7
Viaporin Tuoppi 10.8
Endero Cup 23.8
Musto Regatta 31.8-1.9 (first day only)
Due to inexperience and numerous crew changes, Ian monopolised the last position in
most of the races, but this will change next year!
The main crew next season will consist of the owners, Pera Koiranen, Janne Oinonen and
Olli Ollila.
During the winter Ian will be refurbished at PK-Marine just east of Helsinki. The main job
is repairing all broken ribs and checking the whole underwater body. The running rigging
will also be modified by running all halyards etc. to a "table" bolted to the mast under
deck-level. Removable cupboards and drawers will be made as Ian will also be used for
cruising.
2003
Ian was launched very late, at the end of June, because the yard had begun work on her
too late. We missed the Helsinki Regatta and had no time to trim her before we had to
leave for Hangö. We reached Hangö in 11 hours after a glorious day of sailing in
perfect conditions. The first race did not go well as we had problems with the genoa and
made several tactical errors. The second day went much better and we had high hopes for
the third day. The third start went well and while most yachts chose the right side of the
course, we stayed on the left and this proved to be a good choice as the wind shifted and
we were able to tack straight for the turning mark. As we closed on the mark, the fleet was
charging up along the layline on starboard tack. We let 3-4 yachts by and tacked into a
gap, but in the middle of the tack, the skipper/helmsman slipped and broke his ankle!
This caused panic on board and Ian very nearly collided with Alibaba (?) before Pera
managed to control the tiller. As we headed for shore the feeling on board was, to say the
least, depressed as we all knew that the rest of the season was in doubt. While the skipper
lay in hospital, it was decided to cancel Ian's participation in the Nordic Championships,
which should have been the highlight of the summer! Sini and some friends sailed Ian
back to Helsinki and spent a memorable night with the crew of 8mR Sagitta in Andö
eating pancakes doused in strong rhum!
As soon as the skipper was back on two legs, Ian was back on the water and took part in
the classic Viaporin Tuoppi, but without Sini who had flown back to France. We had a very
exciting "race within the race" against Antinea and Lyn with positions changing all the
time. In the end Antinea crossed the line first with Ian close behind and Lyn at the heels of
Ian.
Pera Koiranen and Janne Oinonen together with three "hired hands", entered Ian for the
season's last regatta, the Musto Cup. The regatta could not have started worse as Ian was
last of a fleet of nine yachts in the first two starts. The next day started similarly with Ian
again crossing the line last, in eighth place as MayBe VI had retired. After some serious
brainstorming during lunch, Ian made a spectacular recovery by winning the last race with
a good margin! This result will give energy to last the whole winter while waiting for next
season to start. In 1991, exactly the same thing happened: Ian won the last race of the last
regatta of the season, and the following year Ian was one of the top yachts and won the
Nordic Championships! Will history repeat itself...?
Thank you Pera, Janne, Kimmo, Petra, Göran, Basse, Jan and all others who have sailed
and supported Ian and see you all again in 2004!
Results:
Hangö Regatta, 15/16
Viaporin Tuoppi, 9/12
Musto Regatta, 8/9 winning the last race.
2004
Results:
Hangö Regatta, 16/17
Class Championships, 11/16
Viaporin Tuoppi, 6/12
Musto Regatta, 5/11 (5/7)
We missed the first race in Hangö due to an unfortunate encounter with a rock the day
before! Luckily the damage was not severe but the rudderblade will have to be changed
this winter.
The Class Championships went much better with an honorable 11th place in a fleet of 16
yachts. In the classic Viaporin Tuoppi race Ian, under Sini's command, sailed splendidly
crossing the line 6th leaving five yachts (and poor Mariana who lost her rig!) behind. Musto
Regatta, the final regatta of the year, has in previous years brought the best out of Ian,
thriving in harder autumn conditions. Unfortunately, this year only 7 yachts participated
although 11 had registered. With Sini as skipper Ian was 5th at the end after some exciting
racing.
This winter Ian will be "refurbished" in preparation for the World Championships in
Sandhamn next July. The rudder will be renewed and some work will be done on the
underwater hull. Inside, new floorboards will be made together with smaller repairs and
changes here and there. The major investment will be a new mainsail and No 2 genoa from
Meripurje. The mainsail will be in Kevlar and should give a major increase in performance.
2005
Results:
Hangö Regatta 13/13 (missed first race)
World Championships, Sandhamn 26/29
Viaporin Tuoppi 7/10
Musto Regatta 9/9
The season was marred by a bad collision with Jolanda III in the Musto Regatta. Ian got
serious damage to her foredeck, port side and rigging and her genoa was badly torn. It
was our fault and luckily no one on either yacht was hurt and the masts stayed upright. Ian
will be totally refurbished at Red Sky Craft in Kotka: all broken ribs will be changed, the
underwater planking stripped and replaced together with other necessary repairs and she
will receive a new deck with a layout similar to the original one by Estlander. This means
that she will not sail next season but for 2007 she will be as good as new!
2006-2007
IAN has been in the capable hands of Red Sky Craft since autumn 2005. As can be seen
from the enclosed photos, a lot of work has been done! There is still a lot to do, but she
will be ready for next summer, and as good as new!
2008
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