The 2025 12 Metre North American Championship concluded in late September in Newport, Rhode Island, bringing together a small yet iconic fleet of four boats whose elegance was matched by fierce competition. Hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club in partnership with the International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA) Americas Fleet, the regatta featured multi-generational crews — from high school sailors to septuagenarians and octogenarians trimming, steering, and grinding — united by legacy, precision, and speed.
Though designed decades ago, the 12 Metres delivered performances that felt thrillingly modern. Constant refinement, expert seamanship, and thoughtful stewardship kept these classic yachts racing at the highest level. Starts were aggressive, with boats crossing within feet of one another, and tight tacking duels unfolded upwind. Downwind, spinnakers were full off Newport’s storied shoreline, with overlapped yachts trading jibes in striking proximity. The first two days of racing brought light, shifty winds that demanded precision and tactical boat-on-boat crosses. By Sunday, stronger breezes filled in, hiking crews hard to weather and sending spray off the bows as the physicality of the racing intensified.
“Hats off to the Ida Lewis Yacht Club Race Committee. They are by far one of the best, and they put together a wonderful regatta — especially with the tricky wind speeds and shifts we were having out there on the courses,” said Kevin Hegarty, skipper of Columbia, US 16 and 2025 North American Champion.
Final Results Competition & Competition
Columbia (built 1958), skippered by Hegarty, captured top honors in both the Traditional Division and the Open Division. Weatherly US 17 (built 1958), helmed by Steven Eddleston, secured second in both classifications. American Eagle US 21 (built 1964) and Courageous, US 26 (built 1974) rounded out the top places, with Courageous featuring a crew bolstered by youth sailors from Oakcliff Sailing — a testament to the class’s commitment to engaging the next generation.
“What’s unique about the 12 Metre fleet is that innovation has continued within the same rule for more than a century. Even without new-build designs, incremental refinements have kept these boats competitive without leaving others behind. That’s why you still see close, head-to-head racing today — the beauty of the class is that a subtle shift in the wind can still decide who walks away with the silver,” said TJ Perrotti, Newport-based naval architect and marine engineer, who has competed in other regattas aboard the 12 Metre Onawa US 6 (built 1928).
“There was great competition among the 12 Metres. Weatherly really stepped up their game with all the work they’ve done on the boat and bringing in a top crew. It was also great to see the younger generation out on Courageous, and I was especially impressed when they edged us out in the final race to get a first in the Classic Division,” said Hegarty. “Eagle has always been a fast boat and a great competitor, she just couldn’t seem to find her groove this regatta.”
Perrotti added: “What continues to amaze me about the 12 Metres is that a boat designed in the 1920s, if well-sailed and well-maintained, can still go head-to-head with a yacht from the 1980s. That kind of competitiveness across generations is remarkable—and it speaks to the brilliance of the 12 Metre rule and the enduring integrity of these designs.”
