Saskia

In the year she was built Saskia won the prestigious Seawanhaka Cup representing the Royal Northern Yacht Club. First presented in 1895, the Seawanhaka Cup is the oldest yachting trophy from America that is still in active competition.

Saskia was then sold to new owners based in Cowes and had a very successful racing record in the Solent. She then represented the UK in the 1936 Olympics that were held in Kiel, Germany. The commemorative plaque marking the occasion is still displayed onboard.

In 1954, the well know Australian yachtsman, Sir William Northam, bought Saskia and shipped her to Sydney with the specific objective of winning the Sayonara Cup which was widely considered the symbol of pre-eminence in big-boat, round the buoys racing in Australia since 1904. Saskia won the Cup for the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron ending 34 years of dominance by the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. She remained at her mooring at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron winning many races for the next 52 years.

In 2007 she was shipped back to the UK to take part in that years celebration of ‘100 years of Metre Rule Sailing’. She competed at the Centennial World Championships on the Clyde where she won her class and the Sira Cup. She then went on to win the Eight Metre Class at the Metre Class Centenary Regatta in Cowes.

In 2008 she was sold to another Australian owner who shipped her to Portugal for a full restoration. She was acquired in Portugal by the current owner in 2011 who completed the restoration (including further strengthening in 2013) and since 2012 she has been campaigned heavily across Europe. From 2013-2017 she consistently won her class in the Cowes Panerai British Classic Yacht Club Week and in 2013 she won the Panerai overall prize, including the prestigious Concours d’Elegance award.

Boat Details
Boat Name Saskia
Sail No K-26
Home Port Royal Yacht Squadron
Current Location Hamble River UK
Designer William Fife III
Yard William Fife & Son - Fairlie
Construction Wood
Rig
Build Year 1931
Build No
First Owner A.S.L. Young - Cove
First name Saskia
First Sail No. K-26
First Country Great Britain