The International Six Metre Class dates back to 1907 and the introduction of the International Rule, also known as the Metre Rule, with the first recorded 6mR race taking place on 1 June 1907 at Cercle de la Voile de Paris on La Seine. Throughout the class history, there has been a hotbed for technical innovation with the world’s leading yacht designers and sailors bringing often radical concepts and technical excellence to the fleet. An Olympic Class from 1908 to 1952, the Sixes were also frequently used as a development testbed during the America’s Cup period racing in 12 Metres. The rule was periodically updated to keep the class at the forefront of technical development, whilst at the same time honouring its extraordinary heritage.
The class has inevitably seen peaks and troughs of activity. The 1920s and 30s saw a frenzy of new boat construction, but the advent of the second world war brought a downturn which continued through the post-war austerity years. In 1975 the first of the “modern” Sixes appeared and so began the resurgence of this extraordinary class. Over 1,200 Six Metre boats were built in total, of which some 450 are still in existence today.
Clever management of both the rule and the international class association (ISMA) by its dedicated officers and members has seen the International Six Metre return to its rightful place as one of the most exciting and important racing fleets in the world. It brings together the elegance of the Classic Division with the cutting-edge development of the modern boats in the Open Division, in a regatta circuit that takes competitors to some of the most spectacular yachting venues around the globe. The camaraderie amongst the fleet is exceptional and the après-sailing lifestyle is as elegant as the yachts themselves.
Whilst the Sixes have raced globally since their inception, the introduction of a formal World Championship only came in 1973, when the first Worlds was raced off Seattle, USA.
International Six Metre World Championships Hall of Fame:
| Year | Open | Classic | Venue |
| 2022 | Momo (SUI) | Dix Aout (FRA) | Sanxenxo, Spain |
| 2019 | Junior (SUI) | Bribon 500 (ESP) | Hanko, Finland |
| 2017 | Junior (SUI) | Bribon (ESP) | Vancouver, Canada |
| 2015 | Junior No Limit Yacht (SUI) | Llanoria (CAN) | La Trinité-sur-Mer, France |
| 2013 | St Francis IX (CAN) | Fridolin (FIN) | Flensburg, Germany |
| 2011 | Junior (FRA) | Sara af Hango (FIN) | Helsinki, Finland |
| 2009 | Sophie II (SWE) | Gallant (CAN) | Newport, USA |
| 2007 | Fleau (SUI) | Fagel Bla (SWE) | Cowes, UK |
| 2005 | Courage IX (GER) | Toy (FIN) | Sandhamn, Sweden |
| 2003 | Notorious (SWE) | Toy (FIN) | St. Tropez, France |
| 1999 | Fleau (SUI) | Alibaba II (FIN) | Hanko, Finland |
| 1997 | Scoundrel (GBR) | Cannes, France | |
| 1995 | Notorious (SWE) | Sandhamn, Sweden | |
| 1993 | Nivola (ITA) | Cannes, France | |
| 1991 | Woodoo (SWE) | Torquay, UK | |
| 1989 | St. Francis IX (USA) | Marstrand, Sweden | |
| 1987 | Scoundrel (GBR) | Oyster Bay, USA | |
| 1985 | Junior (SUI) | Cannes, France | |
| 1983 | Irene/California I (USA) | Newport, USA | |
| 1981 | Not completed – lack of wind | Seattle, USA | |
| 1979 | Irene (USA) | Marstrand, Sweden | |
| 1977 | Irene (USA) | Alassio (ITA) | |
| 1975 | Maybe X (SWE) | Sandhamn, Sweden | |
| 1973 | St. Francis V (USA) | Seattle, USA |
Six Metre Worlds 2023 