Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

2023 Finn Gold Cup at Coconut Grove - Day 3

by Robert Deaves 29 Jan 2023 21:47 PST 24-31 January 2023

After two days of very cloudy conditions, the Sunshine State started to live up to its name again on Bacardi Race Day, the third day of the 2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami.

Britain's Ed Wright continues to lead the regatta, though race wins from both Domonkos Nemeth, from Hungary, and Federico Colaninno, from Italy, have closed the gap on Wright, and created a fascinating three way battle at the top with two days of light winds expected.

Sunday's forecast was for less wind, more sunshine and higher temperatures. On arrival at the race area there was a nice 13-14 knots warm breeze, which shifted and decreased through the day, Race 5 was sailed under Oscar for free pumping, but this was removed for Race 6 as the wind dropped to 8-9 knots and much more cloud cover.

Pedro Trouche, from Brazil, led at the first top mark in race 5, but Spain's Miguel Fernandez Vasco moved from second at the top to a nice lead by the gate, He held it up the second beat, but on the final downwind Nemeth closed the gap and moved into the lead just before the finish. Wright crossed in third.

Colaninno was the undisputed winner of Race 6, leading all the way for his second win of the week. Much of the fleet including Wright overstood on the left and though he rounded around seventh, was up to second by the gate, but couldn't match the Italian's pace. France's Laurent Hay was also quick around the course in the lighter winds, to secure third place and end the day in fifth overall.

Nemeth said, "Today we had two good races, the first one was free pumping. I managed to do a good start and keep my pace. I scored a first by beating Miguel on the last downwind. I surfed pretty good, so it was nice. The second race was a bit more challenging because the wind dropped to 8-10 knots, so we didn't have pumping. It was very shifty, and you had to find pressure all the time. I didn't do very well in the first upwind, but I was very lucky because everyone was passing by and going over the lay line on the left line, so in the end I got fourth. I am not very happy with that one, but it's not a bad score. This day was quite good, I really enjoyed the first one.

"Miami is really cool. At home now it is really cold now, it's two degrees, I've never been in the US. And the organizers here are really putting their hearts in, everything is really good. I can't say anything bad."

On the lighter winds forecast for the coming days, "In the lighter breeze it will be definitely more challenging for me and for Ed and Federico, as everyone else can be very good in the lighter breeze. It's going to be more challenging, but I am looking forward to it, this is what sailing is about."

Pedro Trouche, from Brazil, is in eighth place and thoroughly enjoying his return to Finn sailing this week.

"I sold my boat in 2016 and I had the opportunity to sail this championship because my skipper in the Star class, Jack Jennings, let me use his boat, as he has two. I am super happy to be back in the class. I have a lot of friends in Miami, it's a kind of second home for me and I am still learning about the racing area, which is very good for me as we have a lot of Star class events during the winter here, it's a very nice combo.

"It was a great day for me. I had a fifth in the first race and an 11th in the second one, I hope I am still in top 10, which is the goal for me. I was really trying to push as much as I could these three days because I know I am super heavy for the Finn, like 112 kgs, which is quite challenging, but I kind of like the light wind too. We are going to have 8-10 knots and hopefully it is not going to be too choppy because when it's choppy it's not too good for me, but if it's flat water, it will be nice.

"I like Miami a lot, I have my family close-by, a lot of friends and the weather is super nice. I am kind of getting more knowledge about the racing area, which is super tricky, there's a lot of current, shallow water, we have the breeze, the islands...it's good to know more every day."

After three days of good wind, the next two days look challenging with forecast predicting under 10 knots. Two more races are scheduled for Monday before the event concludes on Tuesday.

Results after Day 3: (top ten, 6 races)

1 GBR 111 Ed Wright 7pts
2 HUN 80 Domonkos Nemeth 11pts
3 ITA 171 Federico Colaninno 12pts
4 ESP 161 Miguel Fernandez Vasco 18pts
5 FRA 75 Laurent Hay 26pts
6 USA 16 Rodion Mazin 34pts
7 AUS 22 Paul Mckenzie 39pts
8 BRA 53 Pedro Trouche 40pts
9 USA 186 James Golden 45pts
10 BRA 32 Pedro Lodovici 48pts

Full results available here.

Related Articles

Vaikobi UK Finn Nationals at the WPNSA
Lawrence Crispin wins his first title since returning to the class Former Laser World Champion Lawrence Crispin won his first Finn National Championship after returning to the Class nine years ago, having previously won Weymouth Olympic week in the Finn in 1986. Posted on 8 Jul
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 overall
A weekend marked by strong winds, demanding seas, and top-level racing in Cascais The 6th edition of the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy came to a close this Sunday after a weekend marked by strong winds, demanding seas, and top-level racing in Cascais. Posted on 7 Jul
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
Allen Dynamic 40 FooterDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast