Finn Gold Cup - Brit Jack Arnell youngest sailor to compete
by Robert McMillan on 11 May 2012
Jack pictured with top sailors Rafael Trujillo of Spain and Daniel Slater of New Zealand. Robert McMillan
In the sailing world, when you think of 14 year old children, one imagines boys and girls sailing Optimists, maybe a Laser 4/7 or a 420. Well not in the case of Jack Arnell. Arnell, at the tender age of 14, is about to compete in his first Finn Gold Cup.
Weighing in at a tender 91kgs and standing a just over 6’2' Jack is pumped to be in the company of the legends sailing at the JP Morgan Finn Festival in Falmouth.
Jack started sailing when he was four years old sailing Mirrors from Christchurch Sailing Club and progressed quite quickly – as he grew rapidly! In 2007 at the ripe of old age of ten, Jack then sailing Laser Radials decided he would have in a go in the Finn. Since that first sail his heart has been set on the Finn. After brief spells sailing the Ok, Jack asked Rob McMillan of NB Sailsports for go in his Finn in between races at the 2011 UK Finn Open, two weeks later Dad (John) purchased Jacks first Devoti Finn.
A year on Jack has competed in his first UK Finn Championships and is about to compete in his first Finn Gold Cup. Jack says his experience in the star studded Finn fleet has been 'intense and awesome' so far, Jack tells us that when he finishes with the Finn he intends to sail the Star…'but not until I get really old in about eight years!'
We will Jack all the best for the FGC and his future sailing exploits…..
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