K

In single letters this country was K (as in UK). Commonwealth countries were KA (Oz), KZ (New Zealand) ...

With 3 letters we're GBR.

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The K number is I think an RYA issued registration number for cruising boats.
International racing numbers were changed some years ago because spectators were apparently confused why UK boats had K numbers. So British boats changed to GBR, which from any distance looks like Germany's GER. the Dutch became NED's, the Hungarians are all HUN's etc.
Dan

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There was (is?) also the RYA issued 'Y' numbers for cruising monohulls and 'M' numbers for multihulls!. I thought 'K' was reserved for IOR Certificated raceboats way back, now replaced by GBR? All very confusing, Germany USED to be 'D' tpo but I have no idea what Denmark was.

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>
 
These are nationality letters for racing yachts, and are prescribed by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). K used to be the letter for Great Britain and during the same period West Germany was G. Most other countries had a one or two letter symbol.

With so many countries getting in on the sailing thing, the system was changed to a three letter system, so Great Britain is now GBR.

For anyone interested (and who wouldn't be) there is a full list of national letters in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) Appendix G. The rules are published on the web at www.isafrules.com/rrs20012004startpage.swf

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