Gus Miller at Finn World Masters: Waiting for the breeze

by Gus Miller 26 May 2018 03:08 PDT 26 May 2018

A senior member of the Finn class, and Super Legend, Gus Miller (USA) writes from the 2018 Finn World Masters at El Balis, Spain:

Well, it is 4 AM again and there is the sound of waves breaking on the beech below our room. There may be wind to race on this final day and make it an official championship.

First I’d like to thank all of you that have emailed accolades and affirmation for these stories, notes on another great Finn event and for my long involvement with the men and women of the Finn family. It is encouraging to know that all the energy and effort have had such a positive and far reaching impact on the many lives that I have shared in around the world over the last five decades.

Yesterday, I gave my version of Shakespeare’s Henry V’s St Crispin’s Day speech before the Battle of Agincourt (Act IV Scene iii 18-67), referring to "we few, we happy few, we band of brothers" speech at the Annual Finn Masters Meeting. I did not use a microphone but relied on a drill sergeant’s voice to ensure everyone heard clearly.

The assembled masters were reminded that they all, have long had a passion for the Finn and for their friends who race a Finn.

They were asked to each take that passion with their intelligence and experience to become advocates before their national sailing organizations for keeping the great heritage and tradition of the Finn alive in the Olympics. The central issue laid out before them is that sailing’s leadership in their pursuit of market share, money and media attention has become disconnected with the aspirations and dedication of those young men in the senior and junior Finn ranks.

Because Facundo Olezza was off taking care of John Alexander's pre-race preparations and was not there to speak his message to World Sailing’s Council members of disappointment in having his dreams and effort ignored or turned into a commodity was paraphrased. My effort to rally the group received an ovation at the end.

My exhortation was followed by old Finn friend Philip Baum, who represents the Southern African Nations on the World Sailing Council, and described the issues and perceptions that were considered and dealt with by World Sailing. He was followed by Corinne McKenzie, the IFA Executive Director who explained the formal IFA position and tactics before World Sailing, that IFA had to again take the high road and not get sucked into any negativity. Both emphasized keeping respect for our opponents’ views.

After the meeting, Corinne and I have a short discussion about the need for better communication from the IFA executive with the global band that are dedicated to once again keeping the Finn Olympic. Later, while we were waiting for wind and the call to launch, as I visited around the Finn parks, many came up to me with thanks for saying what I did, calling it necessary and giving me their views. I also had a good long sit down with Philip Baum to discuss the issues in detail as Phil is a dedicated Finn sailor and also has his WS Council responsibilities.

As we waited, some rested or slept by their Finns, while many groups formed to chat and I dropped in on all kinds of discussions. Besides the politics of the Finn and World Sailing, I’ve heard about the revolutions in South America, trade between China and the rest of the world, how Trump's experience does not equip him to deal with the intelligence and ruthlessness of Putin or Kim, of Britain’s history and experience with the Common Market, of the critical importance of education and public health to a nation and how to fund them. The respect, curiosity and candor in these discussions reveal that these guys have thought deeply about things that matter.

We waited and waited and finally, when time ran out on all hope of racing or even going sailing, the announcement came that the day was called and all could take their sails down and put their Finns away for the night.