8.5 Metre
A French measurement rule class with Olympic competitors in 1920.
The International Eight point Five Metre Class is a construction class of sailing yacht, meaning the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet a specific measurement formula. In this case, the formula is the French rule called Jauge chemin de fer, established around 1892 by the Union des Sociétés Nautiques de France. The class was used as an Olympic class during the 1920 Olympics and had entries.
- class_type
- Construction class (measurement rule)
- rule_name
- Jauge chemin de fer (French rule)
- first_formula_author
- Union des Sociétés Nautiques de France
- year_of_first_formula
- 1892
- affiliation
- Société des régates de Vannes
- olympic_use
- 1920 Olympics (entries made)
Lore & Background
The 8.5 Metre class was defined by a measurement formula known as the Jauge chemin de fer. The formula was established around 1892 by the Union des Sociétés Nautiques de France, predating the work of Louis Dyèvre, who later became a member of the Société des régates de Vannes, a naval architect, and a member of the French delegation to the congress of London of 1906. Dyèvre's formula was inspired by the formula of the New York Yacht Club. The class was used as an Olympic class during the 1920 Olympics and had entries.
Reader's Guide
The International Eight point Five Metre Class represents an early 20th-century approach to yacht design, where boats were not identical but built to a measurement rule. Its significance lies in its adoption as an Olympic class for the 1920 Games, even though no competitors entered. The class's formula, the Jauge chemin de fer, was developed by Louis Dyèvre, a French naval architect and delegate, and was inspired by the New York Yacht Club's rule. This class illustrates the international exchange of yacht design principles and the challenges of organizing Olympic sailing events in the post-World War I era. Its legacy is primarily historical, as a class that was intended for Olympic competition but never actually raced at that level.
Did You Know?
- The 8.5 Metre class was used as an Olympic class during the 1920 Olympics and had entries.
- The Jauge chemin de fer formula was established around 1892 by the Union des Sociétés Nautiques de France.
- The formula was inspired by the formula of the New York Yacht Club.
- The class is a construction class, meaning boats are not identical but meet a specific measurement formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of class is the 8.5 Metre?
It is a construction class, meaning boats are not built to a single identical design. Instead, every hull simply has to satisfy a specific French measurement formula to be eligible.
Who wrote the rule that defines the 8.5 Metre class?
The formula, known as Jauge chemin de fer, was established around 1892 by the Union des Sociétés Nautiques de France. The class itself is affiliated with the Société des régates de Vannes.
When did the 8.5 Metre appear at the Olympic Games?
The class was on the programme at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, where entries were made under the French measurement rule.
How does the 8.5 Metre differ from a one-design class like the Laser or 470?
In a one-design class every boat is identical, whereas the 8.5 Metre allows designers freedom as long as the finished yacht passes the Jauge chemin de fer measurement formula. This means competitors can sail boats that look quite different from one another.
Why is the 8.5 Metre notable in Olympic sailing history?
It stands out as a purely French-rule construction class that earned a place on the Olympic programme in 1920, giving a national measurement system international exposure. Its inclusion also highlights the era when sailing classes were often tied to a single country's rating rules.
More in Olympic sailing classes 1-24
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