Please select your home edition
Edition
Wildwind 2016 728x90

A great excuse for FINNtastic racing – Finn Masters Magazine

by Robert Deaves on 17 Feb
A great excuse for FINNtastic racing – Finn Masters Magazine Robert Deaves/Finn Class http://www.finnclass.org
It must be close to the start of the European Finn season, with the publication of fourth edition the Finn Masters Magazine and Yearbook this week. The 2017 edition is packed full of interviews and reports from Finn Masters across the world, showcasing what the Finn Masters has brought to hundreds of sailors over the past 47 years, culminating in the largest ever Finn World Masters at Torbole in 2016, with 355 entries.

The fleet is currently planning only its second ever Finn World Masters outside Europe, with a trip to Barbados now less than four months away. Containers are coming from Europe, North America and Oceania for what should be an event of a lifetime in the Caribbean.

New Finn Masters World Champion, and 2004 Finn Olympic Silver Medalist Rafa Trujillo explains what brought him to his first Finn Masters. “Five years ago, I did not imagine that I would be sailing in the event but the level of Master’s fleet has been steadily improving and the fleet is of very good quality so I was excited to get back into the boat after almost four years out of it. It was a great opportunity to sail against friends and push myself.”

He thinks it will continue to grow and attract more Finn rock-start names. “After I won the Masters Worlds I heard from a lot of ex-Olympic sailors hoping to join the Masters fleet as it seemed like such a good event, so I expect the level will continue to increase for Barbados 2017 and Barcelona 2018. In Spain we already have 20 new Master sailors who have joined the fleet as they look forward to Barcelona 2018.”

Also sailing at his first Finn World Masters, Christoph Burger talked about the enjoyment of sailing in the Masters fleet. “I enjoyed every moment of it. It is unique to sail with so many different guys and age groups. It is super easy to socialise with the fleet on shore and I had many great moments. The older guys all have my respect when it gets down to sailing the Finn in the normal Lake Garda conditions. Once the race has started it is all about your race. When you are up in the front of the fleet, the flashbacks of the earlier days come up.”

“I believe that if you have raced the Finn at the top level you have created a unique connection to it. Some will sail the Finn forever and others won’t. But sailing in the Master Worlds it is not only about the pressure of the result, to satisfy sponsors and federations. It is about doing what you love to do. And what is better than doing what you love, and to end the day with a couple of beers at the club’s bar instead of having to go for a bike ride, stretching and massage.”

Fourth overall in Torbole, Piet Eckert was also interviewed in depth about his experience in the Finn Masters fleet. He talks with enthusiasm about sailing the Finn. “I like the boat. The heavy hull has its own momentum, especially in lighter wind. Its physicality is a real challenge and the technical side is highly refined. I don’t know any other boat with such a comparable combination.”

“I think the Finn is a unique singlehander. Honestly there are not much alternatives for taller and heavier sailors. The Masters makes it possible to sail in your proper category. It keeps the challenge up and increases the fun factor. It’s very much organisable. Since the boat is so compact, it’s easy for logistics. You don’t need a big budget and you can simply organise your own schedule.”

The Finn Masters magazine features extensive interviews with all three sailors as well as including:

• Preview of 2017 Finn World Masters in Barbados in June 2017
• A look ahead to the 2018 Finn World Masters at El Balis
• Wrap of the record breaking 2016 Finn World Masters in Torbole
• A fond farewell to long time Finn sailor, Mike Till
• Data analysis of the 2016 Masters event
• Reports from the Euro Cup in Hungary, and Masters events in Italy, Sweden, Poland, USA, Italy, UK, Russia, Netherlands and New Zealand
• Bid reports for the 2019 Finn World Masters from Denmark, Malta and Sicily
• Profile of the Dinghy Racing Centre in the Netherlands, ‘probably’ the largest Finn shop in the world.
• Seeing Europe by Finn, a story by Charles Heimler

You can download the magazine as a PDF or read it online here.

A great excuse for FINNtastic racing – Finn Masters Magazine © Robert Deaves/Finn Class http://www.finnclass.org
A great excuse for FINNtastic racing – Finn Masters Magazine © Robert Deaves/Finn Class http://www.finnclass.org

Insun - AC ProgramAncasta Botin Fast40 660x82Wildwind 2016 660x82

Related Articles

Wild weather makes for a topsy-turvy day at Kiel Week
The Germans won two of their three qualifying races today and sit two points in front of the Olympic silver medallists New Zealanders are also faring well in the Men’s 49er, with Josh Porebski and Trent Rippey holding the lead after six races in the 49er fleet. Australia’s David Gilmour and Joel Turner are on the same points as the leaders, while the Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallists, Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel, move up to third overall.
Posted on 22 Jun Para World Sailing Championships – What a difference a day makes
Only the Open 2.4 Norlin OD, One Person Keelboat, managed to sail, and they completed one race in variable 5-16 knot The day had a bit of everything. There were grey skies, heavy showers and no breeze in the morning. Moving into the afternoon, a sudden sunny spell was coupled with a heavy breeze, gusting up to 25 knots. The breeze declined as the afternoon played out before dropping off completely and bringing another rain shower to put an end to the day.
Posted on 22 Jun High stakes at 2017 U.S. Youth Sailing Championships
2017 US Youth Championships will bring together over 175 of America’s top youth sailors, on line in four of six classes. For the second time since 2013, the Corpus Christi Yacht Club will host the pinnacle event for youth sailing in the United States. The 2017 US Youth Championships will bring together over 175 of America’s top youth sailors, with qualification for the 2017 Youth Sailing World Championships on the line in four of the six classes.
Posted on 22 Jun Scheidt shows young guns the way at Kiel Week
Robert Scheidt has won his first qualifying race and after three races lies in third overall in the 49er Men’s fleet The Brazilian five-time Olympic medallist sits two points off the lead, currently held by young New Zealanders Josh Porebski and Trent Rippey, with Australia’s David Gilmour and Joel Turner in second overall after three heats. Sitting a point off the podium are the Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallists and local heroes, Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel.
Posted on 21 Jun Kiel Week - Seven nations are celebrating their victories
The first 14 Kiel Week titles on the triangular courses in Kiel-Schilksee are decided. The first 14 Kiel Week titles on the triangular courses in Kiel-Schilksee are decided. After the decisions in the international classes, the Germans can celebrate four victories in their country. But this did also demonstrate the international quality, which was already present before the start of the Olympic disciplines in Kiel. Seven nations did sign the winners' list
Posted on 21 Jun 39 nations ready to race at the Para World Sailing Championships
Germany's Heiko Kroger warmed up for the world championships by taking gold at the Open 2.4 competition Paralympic medallists, world champions, offshore sailors and sailors from eight new nations will race in the Open 2.4 Norlin OD as well as the Men's Hansa 303 and Women's Hansa 303 fleets during the famous Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) sailing festival.
Posted on 20 Jun Scheidt headlines a cast of Olympic Stars at Kiel Week
Racing with his team mate Gabriel Borges, the 44-year-old five-time Olympic medallist is one of many big names competing Scheidt will be up against the likes of top German crew Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel who won Olympic bronze in the 49er last year at Rio 2016.
Posted on 20 Jun Zhik 29er Worlds 2018 - NoR and Entry Forms available
Rolex China Sea Race, 2015 Etchells Worlds, 2013 Flying 15 Worlds and the annual Hong Kong Race Week The Pre-Worlds will kick off on 27 December 2017 followed shortly after by the Zhik 29er Worlds commencing on 2 January 2018. Hong Kong experiences some of its best sailing conditions in January with great breeze and mild winter temperatures. The racing will be based out of Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s Middle Island facility.
Posted on 20 Jun Only four German crews on the way to win the Kiel Week
The coordination between the Kiel Week race organizers and the weather expert Dr. Meeno Schrader is working well. The meteorologist with a diploma had already recommended on Sunday evening to postpone the starts on Monday, the organizers did follow his advice and this was dead right. The sailors did have an easy stat on their third race day, and when they were sent out on the water around midday, they could still work off an intense regatta day.
Posted on 19 Jun USA's Callahan wins International Optimist Regatta in Virgin Islands
Mitchell Callahan was in a sweet spot heading into the third and final day of racing at 25th Int'l Optimist Regatta Mitchell Callahan was in a sweet spot heading into the third and final day of racing at the 25th International Optimist Regatta (IOR), presented by Electronic Merchant Systems (EMS) Virgin Islands and hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club, June 16 to 18. The 14-year-old sailor from Cape Coral, Florida, was sitting pretty five points in front of his closest competitor, twin brother Justin.
Posted on 19 Jun
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2017 Sail-World USA and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy