Australian Finn Championship 2010, Day 1

by BaldWIN Media on 7 Jan 2010 Sorrento Sailing Club is situated on the Mornington Peninsular in Victoria and is a popular holiday destination with good reason; the golden sandy beaches, crystal clear blue waters and a host of fabulous eateries. Food is important for Finn sailors as the boat is the men's 1-person heavy-weight Olympic event and to be competitive sailors must be 90kgs +

The equipment is one-design but there are tolerances within the class rules that allow for some development, most commonly in the carbon masts and sails. Two sails are permitted to be measured into each regatta so sailors develop sails to suit certain conditions. Most would use a ‘light to medium wind sail' and a ‘medium to heavy wind sail'. Discussions took place between the sailors and coaches as to what sails would be required for the days racing and the second sail was sent out on the coach boat in case an on-water change be required.

The Australian Finn fleet has grown over the last couple of years largely thanks to the enthusiasm of ex-pat, Robert McMillan who has imported 12 boats into Australia so far.

Rob has had a long love affair with the class having started sailing in one at just 15 years old. His career highlights include winning the British Championship four times and twice finishing second in the GB Olympic Trials.

Rob expressed his passion for the boat saying, 'I love it, it's a fantastic single-hander. The class's history is just magic and the evolution has been sensible which has lead to an impressive global representation. Every time I rig up to go sailing someone asks me how they can get hold of one so I started my business, Finnports, bringing in quality equipment that's affordable. I set the boat up for them and after that they are usually as addicted to it as I am!'

The fleet of 18 Finns saw challenging conditions for the first day of racing with the winds not getting as strong as forecast meaning some sail changes were required on the water.

Chris Caldecoat was caught out changing his sail and missed the first start but was given a second chance when the race was abandoned after the fleet sailed to a mark of the neighbouring course in confusion. After relaying the course the whole fleet got away on a clear start.

New Zealander, Nik Burfoot won the opening race from the defending Champion and dual-Olympian, Anthony Nossiter with the recent Aussie recruit, Oliver Tweddell, the former Team GBR Sailor, showing his potential finishing in third place.

Oliver has only been sailing Finns for three months and says, 'Moving out of the Laser class was the best thing for me, I was just too big for the boat. I really enjoy sailing the Finn, I love the feeling of power and being a light-weight now is a novelty'.

Oliver described the conditions, 'It was good fun out there, it was excellent. Very gusty with massive shifts and very tidal so it was a day for smart tactics. I was leading the first race but I fell overboard when I let my toe strap off too far!'

Race two was again won by the Kiwi with Nossiter second but this time it was James Patterson from South Australia who finished third.

British sailor and winner of the 2009 Sail Down Under Series, Henry Bagnall missed the signal for the second start and retired.

The leader board after day one is as follows (points):

1. Nik Burford (2)
2. Anthony Nossiter (4)
3. James Patterson (7)
4. Oliver Twiddle (9)
5. Warwick Hill (12)
6. Jake Gunther (13)
7. Chris Caldecoat (17)
8. Rob McMillan (18)
9. John Condie (18)
10. Shaun Wells (18)
11. Timothy Castles (23)
12. Henry Bagnall (24)
13. Robert Buchanan (25)
14. John Sallvey (26)
15. Aaron Heritage (29)
16. Andrew Baglin (32)
17. Craig Kirkpatrick-Whitby (34)
18. Greg Clark (34)