The 22 Square Meter Nordic has its roots in the Skjaergaardskrysser of the Swedish archipelago. The original rule from the turn of the century had very few limitations and by 1915 the yachts were becoming quite extreme. The "plank on edge" design concept alarmed most of the sailing community and an international committee was formed to revise the rule. The aim was to create a more healthy direction in yacht design without losing the character of the Skjaergaardskrysser. The rule had to continue to encourage innovation and design freedom, but also include strict rules for strength and seaworthiness.

The committee was comprised of representatives from the national sailing organisations. The final meeting was held in Helsinki, Finland in 1923. Yachts of the old rule kept the term "Scandinavian" and class letter "O" while the new, official racing class was christened "Nordic" and  was given class symbol 22 and national letter "N"(in Norway). The Sq. meter Scandinavian yachts kept "O" as class symbol until it was given to  the Knarr many years later.

Both the Nordic and the Scandinavian classes were actively raced until at least 1930, causing some confusion in the sailing literature. Scandinavian class yachts raced as a "construction class" under a special rule. Yachtclub yearbooks and other contemporary sources use the terms scandinavian, construction and "boats sailing under the old rule" for these boats, but all too often simply mix the new and old classes together under the generic term "Skjaergaardskrysser".

To further confuse the issue, the Swedes seem to have had trouble accepting the new international rule. This is not hard to understand because the international revision seemed aimed at what was called the "excesses of the Skjaergaards classes, particularly the Swedish designs". That must have been hard to swallow for the originators of the yacht type. It may also be argued that the extremely long and narrow Swedish designs were perfectly adjusted to the protected Baltic area, and the more "seaworthy" Nordic classes were less fine-tuned to the local conditions. A more recent example of this same design problem can be seen in the America's Cup for 12 meter class when the sailing arena moved from the light airs off Newport to the tougher conditions in the Southern Ocean off Australia. The 'newer' yachts would probably have a hard time competing with the local talent in Newport and for the Swedes with the biggest and most active fleet of Skjaergaardskryssers, yachts under the international rule of 1923 must have been rather disappointing. However that may be, they made their own revision of the original rule in 1925.

And in the end...
As time has passed, it is the Swedes who have had the last laugh. The Nordic classes grew rapidly for a while and then faded as newer, cheaper designs and yachting world politics shifted the international keelboat focus towards "R" boats, IOR and Meter boats. The Skjaergaardskrysser was an Olympic class for a short period, but was superseeded by the Drake (Dragon) - designed by a premier Square meter designer. The same can be said for both the I.O.D., the Knarr and many other prominant designs. Many designers have learned and borrowed from the innovative square meter classes.

What remains of the very active international Skjaergaardskrysser classes today has its roots in the 1925 rule. There are large fleets of Square Meter yachts in the Baltic centered on the Stockholm area, and the Swedish Square Meter association is charged with keeping the Square Meter Rule for the international community. Existing boats are raced under the 1925 Rule. There are very large, active fleets in Sweden and Germany and smaller fleets in many other countries. Old yachts are held in high esteem and new yachts are constantly being added. Today it is even possible to order a Square Meter directly over the internet from one of the boatyards specializing in the design. Once again it can be said that 'he who laughs last, laughs best...'

Hats off to the Swedes for the original design and for the foresight needed to preserve the Square Meter as a viable yacht for the future.
 
 
 
 
 

Yacht Register for Norwegian 22 square meters

This register is as complete as present information sources allow. Similarities in class names and the transition from the original construction-class (22 Sq.m. Scandinavian) to the official racing class (22Sq.m. Nordic) has caused a great deal of confusion in the records - apparently even the yacht clubs have had problems in keeping class information without mix-ups. My thanks to Trond Sverre Førde for much help researching 22 Sq.m history in Norway and to his grandfather for carefully saving the official magazine for the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) "Seilas" from 1918 and through the 1940's - the period which saw the rise and fall of the 22 Sq.m. Nordic class.

Altogether, there were 41 boats built and registered in the 22 Sq.m. Nordic class in Norway. Norwegian readers will find many prominent names among the owners, and even international readers should find plenty of names they recognize.

There were 7 new Norwegian 22 Sq.m. Nordic built in 1927: 2 at Holmen Yachtverft, 2 at Anker&Jensen, 2 by Bjarne Aas and 1 at Fjordgløtt Boatyard. The following yacht clubs have 22Sq.m. Nordics: Tønsberg, Sandefjord, Langesundfjorden, Arendal, Bergen, Kristiansund and Trondheim. In 1928 there were 3 boats registered in Bergen - Pioner, Irina IV and Sunshine. In 1929 4 Nordic 22's were bought Leif B. and Alfred B. Kielland and shipped to San Diego, USA. In 1931 31 new Nordic 22's were built.

Some of the information is incomplete, especially towards the end of the register. Many of the boats must be mentioned several times under new names or ownership. Any information on these boats, especially sail numbers, would be greatly appreciated.