French National Monotype 1924

Lore & Background

The French National Monotype 1924 was selected by the host nation for the Olympic monotype competition, as permitted by the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) in 1921. The USNF chose the design of Henri Grenier, who specifically created the boat with the 1924 Olympics in mind. The class did not feature a spinnaker and was tailored for light air conditions expected on the Seine at Meulan-en-Yvelines. All 16 boats were built to the same design by the same builder. Some documents refer to this class as the Meulan, and in France as Monotype national.

Reader's Guide

The French National Monotype 1924 holds significance as the equipment for the single-handed sailing event at the 1924 Olympics, where 17 sailors competed using 16 boats, requiring a rotation scheme. Ten of the yachts were identical, while six others were slightly different, leading to speculation that these six might have been Scheldejollen, a class originating in Antwerp, Belgium, also used in the Netherlands, which differs in having more sail area, a spinnaker, and 10 cm more beam. The Dutch Wikipedia states that the Scheldejol was used at the Olympics, but the source article notes uncertainty and suggests investigation. The class's legacy lies in its role in Olympic history and the unresolved question of whether two distinct boat types were used.

Did You Know?

• The class is also called the Meulan or Monotype national in France.
• The designer was Henri Grenier, brother of Gaston Grenier.
• The International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) decided in 1921 that the host country would choose the monotype class.
• All 16 boats were built to the same design by the same builder.