Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Athens selected to host 2019 Finn European Championship

by Robert Deaves 14 Jan 2019 04:11 PST 10-18 May 2019
Finn European Championship © Robert Deaves

Athens, the birthplace of the modern Olympics, has been selected to host the most important Finn regatta of the year, the 2019 Finn European Senior and U23 Championship, after the previous host in Marsala, Sicily, was forced to pull out following damage to the club after the rough weather that hit the coast of Sicily during December 2018.

The championship is scheduled to take place in May, and the severe damage in Marsala jeopardised the successful organisation of the event. Regretfully, the host club, Circolo Velico Marsala, had no option but to withdraw.

After extensive discussion and consultation following the withdrawal of Marsala, the International Finn Association (IFA) Executive has decided to allocate the 2019 Finn European Championship to Athens.

The IFA is very grateful to the many clubs around Europe that promptly came forward to help the Finn class in such an emergency situation. Finally, the Hellenic Sailing Federation in the Athens International Sailing Centre, host of the very popular Finn training this winter, as well as past events, has been chosen.

"The aim is to deliver an attractive event that places the Finn sailors in the spotlight," IFA President Balazs Hajdu declared. "While the Finn's Olympic future is endangered we are happy to showcase our class in the symbolic city of Athens."

The Finn Class is delighted that Peter Reggio, PRO at the last three Olympic Games for the Finn, has been appointed as Principal Race Office for the championship.

The 2019 Finn Open European championship, which will be held from the 10 to 18 of May in Athens, will also be the second Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification event for the Finn with four places to be allocated. The last Olympic selection opportunities will be the continental qualifications with one place remaining per continent.

"We have under four months to organise this important regatta, however the Finn class will make sure all angles are covered to deliver the best event both on the water and on land. The Hellenic Sailing Federation has ensured that all the IFA and World Sailing requirements will be met," explains Rafael Trujillo, IFA Vice President Sailing.

With Olympic qualifications and many country internal selections being decided at the 2019 Finn Open Europeans, the event is expected to attract one of the largest and most competitive fleets ever.

Related Articles

Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik overall
'Incredible' Finn World Masters closes after epic week Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, has won his second Finn World Masters title as the 2025 Finn World Masters drew to a close in Medemblik on Friday, after having won the title on Thursday with a day to spare. Posted on 20 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik day 4
Pieter-Jan Postma wins after bizarre penultimate day The penultimate day of the Finn World Masters in Medemblik threw a curveball at the fleet with very light and tricky winds, some high scores, complex racing, protests and unfinished races. Posted on 20 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik day 3
Pieter-Jan Postma continues to lead after 5 races Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, continues to dominate the Finn World Masters in Medemblik, The Netherlands, after a fifth race was sailed on Wednesday in a north-westerly breeze building from 8-12 knots during the afternoon. Posted on 18 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 2
Pieter-Jan Postma leads after the second day of racing in The Netherlands Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, is leading the fleet of 307 Finns from 27 countries after everyone sailed two more races at the 2025 Finn World Masters in Medemblik. France's Laurent Hay is second with Germany's Fabian Lemmel in third. Posted on 17 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 1
Eight races over two course areas in four groups with four different winners Racing at the 2025 Finn World Masters began in Medemblik, The Netherlands, on Monday with eight races over two course areas in four groups. Posted on 16 Jun
Finn World Masters opens in Medemblik
A bumper entry of 307 helms in The Netherlands The 2025 Finn World Masters has been opened in Medemblik, The Netherlands, on Sunday evening. It is the third time the Dutch Finn class has endeavoured to run the Finn World Masters, with two previous attempts cancelled by the pandemic. Posted on 15 Jun
Finn Southern Area Championship at Christchurch
With the Oscar flag flying to signify free pumping Christchurch Sailing Club welcomed 19 Finn sailors to the Finn Southern Area Championships held over a very sunny and windy weekend 31 May/1 June 2025. The event was shared with the Hadron H2 Class who also appeared to thoroughly enjoy the event. Posted on 3 Jun
Singlehanded Regatta at Hayling Island
Finns, Europes and Solos don't let the forecast put them off a glorious weekend Day one Charlie Bradshaw held the fleets on shore for an hour on Saturday morning, a fair amount of hope but an early strong easterly can have a detrimental effect on a sea breeze here so there was certainly a little trepidation in the fleet. Posted on 26 May
Enter now for Chichester Harbour Race Week
Last year nearly 600 competitors in 383 boats attended Book your place at the biggest dinghy and keelboat regatta in the UK! With the website open, you can now reserve your place in this year's 'must attend' event. Starting on Monday 11th August, ending on 15th. Posted on 24 May
Switch One DesignNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastV-DRY-X