Laurent Hay wins Spanish Open Finn Championship in Ibiza
by Robert Deaves 21 Oct 2025 05:00 AEDT
16-19 October 2025
Laurent Hay, from France, has won the Spanish Open Finn Championship in Ibiza, Spain. Christoph Burger, from Switzerland, took second with Xavier Penas from Spain in third. Penas won the Spanish Championship from David Terol and Alejandro Cardona.
Seven races were held over three days, with the championship very ably hosted by the Club Nautico Ibiza. The conditions were mainly light, with more wind coming in for the final races. The backdrop of Ibiza's beaches and hospitality was very welcomed by the fleet of 36 boats from nine countries.
Laurent Hay won both races on the opening day. After a postponement onshore, the wind finally arrived, and two races were sailed in 5-8 knots of breeze. Lawrence Crispin, from Britain, ended the day in second with Christoph Burger, from Switzerland in third.
Burger was early leader in Race 1, but Hay took the lead on the second upwind to win from Crispin and Burger. The wind increased at the start of Race 2 with local hero Jordi Tur leading round the first lap, only to be overhauled by Hay on the second upwind. Hay took his second win from Tur and Spain's David Terol.
A third race was planned, but with decreasing wind and inland rain clouds moving over the course, the fleet was sent back to the harbour.
Only one race was managed on the second day with Hay leading from start to finish in 5-6 knots and hot sunshine. Christoph Burger remained in second overall, while Xavier Penas moved up to third and the leading Spanish sailor. After a long wait for the wind to return - with an Ibiza party boat in close proximity - the fleet was sent ashore. In the evening many sailors attended the Club Nautico Ibiza's centenary celebrations at the iconic Teatro Pereyra in Ibiza.
The fleet was launched on time for the final day with four races sailed in an increasing breeze. Burger crossed first in the opening race but was given a starting penalty, handing the win to former Spanish champion, David Terol. Hay then took the next two races to secure the championship with a race to spare, while Burger again found the front in the final race in the strongest winds of the week - 8-10 knots - to end with a win and secure second overall. A very happy Xavier Penas did just enough to take the Spanish title by 1 point from David Terol.
Overall, the event was one of light winds, hot weather and great hospitality and surely a venue to return to in the future.
Overall Results: (top ten, 7 races)
1. FRA 75 Hay LAURENT HAY 12pts
2. SUI 7 Christoph BURGER 19pts
3. ESP 71 Xavier PENAS 34pts
4. ESP 7 David TEROL ALBALADEJO 35pts
5. POR 21 Filipe SILVA 37pts
6. GBR 74 Lawrence CRISPIN 40pts
7. ESP 76 Alejandro CARDONA RIERA 42pts
8. ESP 78 Jordi TUR CASADO 44pts
9. ESP 22 Adrián BEDOYA MEY 45pts
10. SUI 99 Laurent CHAPUIS 52pts