IFA Reports Masters 2014 - Sopot

Michael Maier wins record sixth Finn World Masters after drama filled final day in Sopot

The Finn World Masters ended with another day of strong winds, with the final fleet races followed by the medal race for the top 12. Defending champion, Michael Maier (CZE) could only finish fourth in the race but it was enough to take a record sixth Finn World Masters title. Andre Budzien (GER) had to settled for silver again, while Aleksandr Kuliukin (RUS) placed third in the race to snatch the bronze.

After a scoring correction Thursday evening, the number of sailors in the medal race was increased to 12, with three boats on equal points to tenth place. The medal race was sailed close to the shore, with large shifts off the beach mixing up the fleet. Marc Allain des Beauvais (FRA) sailed an almost flawless race to lead round every mark to take the win. A lot of boats behind him were in trouble with Maier dropping to fourth on the second beat. Budzien struggled upwind in the 20 knot breeze, while Allen Burrell (GBR) had a shocker to drop from third to sixth overall. Walter Riosa (ITA) crossed in second to take the silver medal in the Masters category, while third place from Aleksandr Kuliukin (RUS) took third in the race and also won the Masters category. He wins the President's Cup, the first time this new cup has been presented.

Allain des Beauvais said, “The wind was very shifty, I had a good start and selected to protect the right because I thought it was more lifting at the end when arriving on starboard. The race dictated me to go to the beach and when I tacked I went over the layline voluntarily to capture some more wind and then it was just about taking care and not stupidly capsizing, as I am able to do. C'est la vie. Vive la France!”

Budzien explained how he got the race wrong on both upwind legs, “It was a very tricky, short race. I started at the pin and unfortunately the gusts came from the right side all the way so I couldn't go in the middle and had to stay on the left side. Then it's very hard to get a good position at the mark. On the second beat the left side was much better and I went to the right side. It was not my day, but in the end the Russian was third and I had to be seventh, so I am happy with the silver.”

The day began with the final Yellow and Blue races, less the top 12. Both were very shifty races again, in winds around 15-20 knots with big changes through the fleet as large black clouds moved down the race course. Uli Breuer (GER) eventually took the lead in Yellow fleet for a big win, while Tauras Rymonis (LTU) won the Blue fleet. Fittingly they ended up 13th and 14th overall.

The top Grand Masters were all in the medal race with Michael Maier taking the title for the first time from last year's winner Andre Budzien. His win in the medal race was enough for Marc Allain Des Beauvais to move up from 10th to sixth, to claim the bronze medal.

Henry Sprague (USA) has dominated the Grand Grand Masters all week, and an impressive fourth place today moved him up to 15th overall. Former winner Rob Coutts (NZL) was the next best in 34th, after some good results in the windy races made up for some high scores earlier in the week. Jan Zetzema (NED) took the bronze after a consistent week of good sailing, ending up on equal points with last year's winner Henk de Jager (NED).

The Legends category was extremely competitive this year with three former champions in the running to the end. Howard Sellars (GBR) started the day with a narrow lead over Richard Hart (GBR). However in a bizarre twist, both sailors, who are clearly old enough to know better, were black flagged out of the start in Yellow fleet. Hart's determination to complete yesterday's three gruelling races then paid dividends as he then counted a top 50 while Sellars dropped to fourth Legend after his retirement yesterday. Defending Legend champion Friedrich Muller (GER) took the silver while Rodrick Casander (NED) took the bronze. All Legends were honoured at the prizegiving with a special memento. An emotional Hart received the loudest ovation from the massive crowd. It was without doubt the most popular win of the event.

A special prize was also awarded to Santiago Reyero (ESP) who abandoned his race yesterday after finding an upturned hull with no sign of the sailor or support boats and swam over to it to check to see if the missing sailor was trapped inside. Thankfully, the sailor turned up unharmed, but Reyero said, “I was quite frightened by what I would find inside.” Hos own boat was damaged in the process and while the Jury gave his redress, his selfless act to make sure his fellow sailor was OK, regardless of his own race, epitomises good sportsmanship, and won him the loud applause and appreciation of the more than 300 sailors and families present.

The Masters category winner and third overall, Kuliukin summed up his week, “The racing was at a very high level. I would like to thank the organisers, race committee and jury. We had racing in different conditions all week. My target this week was a medal, so I am very happy. Next year I will try to win overall.

This year was his first masters, at the head of a very strong Russian team. “We have very good regattas at home and very good group of sailors. We communicate closely and drive each other to be better all the time. We have several cities where the Finn class is strong, and some of our other good sailors are not here this year. Next time more will come and there's a big chance we will take all the top places.”

Maier contemplated his sixth World Masters win. “This time was a little bit tough because there was no wind early in the week, and that made it a bit tricky. Yesterday and today was windy which is good for me, though I had some trouble yesterday with some things not working in the boat and I lost the second race. I had a 100 metre lead but I capsized at the gate and had a big casino with the main sheet. That was a mistake from me. But on the second upwind the centreboard got stuck and also made it quite difficult.”

On the medal race. “I calculated the general results and I knew I was one point behind Budzien but today was quite different sailing close to the shore with a lot of shifts. In the pre-start I tried pushing him for some action but he ignored me and I also made some joke for Allen. But I see guys prepare their pre-start position, so I started at the committee boat because the wind was from the right side. I tried pushing the guys under me and some tacked but at that moment it was music for me as I see Budzien in my window. The second downwind was a bit tricky as I had to control Budzien, so I just covered him, sailing really safely through the block.”

“The Russians are really fast in these conditions. They are the fastest guys here. I didn't have the best upwind speed but always made it up on the downwind.”

On next year. “I don't know. It's a long way away. First I need to finish my house and I have a lot of jobs to do. Sure I will continue sailing, but maybe in a different way.”

The 2014 Finn World Masters in Sopot, was a week of two halves. Three races in very light winds and three races in very windy conditions has produced a balanced championship, even if both were on the extremes of wind limits. In the end the top sailors prevailed and Michael Maier has set a new class record that will take some beating.

The hospitality of the Sopot Sailing Club was second to none and all the sailors have had a fantastic week here, aided of course by the fabulous weather. The class now looks forward to three more oustanding venues in the coming years. Next year the Masters will be in Kavala, Greece, followed by Torbole, Italy in 2016 and then Barbados in 2017.

More and more Finn Masters are joining the fun every year. What will you know in 2015?

Results after six races (medal race in brackets):

1 CZE 1 Michael Maier 13 (4)
2 GER 711 Andre Budzien 18 (7)
3 RUS 161 Aleksandr Kuliukin 20 (3)
4 ITA 55 Walter Riosa 25 (2)
5 FRA 99 Marc Allain Des Beauvais 34 (1)
6 GBR 2 Allen Burrell 35 (11)
7 GER 193 Thomas Schmid 36 (5)
8 SUI 86 Piet Eckert 36 (6)
9 RUS 31 Igor Frolov 37 (10)
10 SUI 5 Christen Christoph 44 (9)
11 RUS 20 Alexey Marchevskiy 48 (8)
12 NZL 2 Ray Hall 56 (12)

Masters: Aleksandr Kuliukin (RUS), Walter Riosa (ITA), Piet Eckert (SUI)
Grand Masters: Michael Maier (CZE), Andre Budzien (GER), Marc Allain Des Beauvais (FRA)
Grand Grand Masters: Henry Sprague (YSA), Rob Coutts (NZL), Jan Zetzema (NED)
Legends: Richard Hart (GBR), Friedrich Muller (GER), Rodrick Casander (NED)

Full results at: http://media.ergohestiacup.pl/results/finn.htm

More photos at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.690550260981709.1073741828.106887889347952&type=1

Event website: www.finnmasters.pl
Club website: www.skz.sopot.pl
Class website: www.finnclass.org
Masters website: www.finnworldmasters.com

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Budzien maintains lead at Finn World Masters in Sopot as big breeze arrives

Andre Budzien (GER) maintains his overall lead at the Finn World Masters in Sopot, Poland after an action packed day of thrills and spills in Gda?sk Bay as strong winds and a full race programme tested the sailors to the limits of endurance. Defending champion, Michael Maier (CZE), is one point behind in second, while Allen Burrell (GBR) is another eight points back in third.

It was a different day in Sopot. The 235 Finn sailors were treated to proper windy conditions and perfect Finn sailing conditions. Strong, gusty winds replaced the light, fickle winds that have dogged the event so far. In one day the fleet sailed as many races as it had already sailed so far this week, to not only make it a valid championship, with also to allow the discard to come into affect. With five races now sailed, the competitors can discard their worst race, which for quite a number of sailors was a BFD.

It was a hard call to run all the races today with the Masters having a wind limit of 20 knots. However that is just a recommendation and it is left to the race management to make the best decision. The offshore wind meant the water was only slightly choppy, but also that the pressure was quite patchy, with several monster gusts causing more than little excitement, especially at the crowded mark rounds. Imagine 20 Finns planing full pelt, on the edge of control, towards a narrow gate, where some have to gybe. For some, the goal was just to make it round intact. Most succeeded, though there were a number of spectacular capsizes and broaches.

Blue fleet got the day under way as they sailed three races to catch up with the lost race from Wednesday. Michael Maier (CZE) took the first race, but in the second had problems with his centreboard, which allowed Ray Hall (NZL) into the lead which he kept to the finish. Maier ended the day with another race win. Aleksandr Kuliukin (RUS) and Igor Frolov (RUS) both had good days with top places to move into fourth and fifth overall. A sixth for Hall in the third race just squeezed him into the medal race on equal points with Marc Allain Des Beauvais (FRA).

Hall recalled his race win, “Mike and I both came off the line at the pin, and I took a hit back into the middle. There were a couple of Russian guys who came out of the right on a good lift and led us both round the top mark. Mike managed to get through to the front on the downwind and I moved up to third. On the second beat I stayed on the left and got on Mike's hip and pushed through at the top mark. I ducked him on the gybe and was able to free pump down to gain the inside angle and came back to cover. He rode down on me on the final reach in the big gusts, but I was able to hold it up the last beat to the finish.”

“It was nice. I'd take that every day. Then I broke the tiller extension in the second race, so that was a bit of a painful one, but I still managed sixth. It was a good day, with a good Finn wind and some great rides on the reaches and downwind. It was great fun.”

In Yellow fleet Andre Budzien (GER) was made to work for his two race wins. He was in trouble after both starts and had to work his way through on the beats, but his downwind speed saved him. Conversely, Allen Burrell (GBR) should have done better today based on his upwind performance, but he lost places on the downwinds. However it was enough to move up to third, though a nine point gap to first might be too large to bridge. Walter Riosa (ITA) and Piet Eckert (SUI) both had consistent days to also make Friday's medal race.

Budzien commented, “Very good day for a light man like me. It was nice but my first beats are always not so good in heavy winds, but in both races I had a bit of good luck two or three hundred metres before the top mark, where I got some good windshifts and got near to the top guys. Downwind I had good speed. It was hard to defend upwind, but on the downwind I managed to make some distance. In the first race it was Allen pushing me and in the second it was Piet Eckert. I needed a 100 metre or so lead round the downwind mark to keep the lead upwind.”

Burrell mulled over his missed chances, “It was a pretty hard day actually. I felt like I had really good speed upwind in the breeze, but I was struggling downwind a bit, maybe because I am bigger than the other guys. I am really aching now, but it was a good day and good fun. It was good for me to race today but a lot of sailors will have struggled in those conditions, because it was quite windy. It's pretty tough on the older guys.”

With five races needed to be able to sail a medal race, Friday's schedule will be the final race for Yellow and Blue groups (less the medal race sailors) and then the medal race itself. The Masters use a Top Ten Plus rule, which means all sailors on points equal or less than tenth place can sail the medal race. So, tomorrow there will be 11 boats in the medal race.

Interestingly, the top three are all Grand Masters, so will also be competing for those medals. The Grand Grand Masters is being dominated by Henry Sprague (USA), who led Yellow fleet round the first mark in the first race today. He has a 30 point lead over Chris Frijdal (NED), but also has a BFD from race 1, so still needs another good race to take that title. The points are much closer in the Legend category with Howard Sellars (GBR) holding a two point lead over Richard Hart (GBR). While Sellars capsized and retired in his second race in Yellow fleet today, 75 year old Hart completed the three gruelling races in the Blue fleet, and finished all three the top 50. That is some achievement and underline his determination to always sail his best.

The final fleet race is scheduled for 11.00 on Friday with the medal race to be sailed as soon as possible afterwards.

Results after five races:

1 GER 711 Andre Budzien 4
2 CZE 1 Michael Maier 5
3 GBR 2 Allen Burrell 13
4 RUS 161 Aleksandr Kuliukin 14
5 RUS 31 Igor Frolov 17
6 ITA 55 Walter Riosa 22
7 SUI 86 Piet Eckert 24
8 SUI 5 Christen Christoph 26
9 GER 193 Thomas Schmid 28
10 NZL 2 Ray Hall 32
11 FRA 99 Marc Allain Des Beauvais 32

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Stefan Fagerlund wins only race completed on third day at Finn World Masters

The vagaries of the fickle wind at the Finn World Masters in Sopot, added a new dimension to the mix on Wednesday, day three of the regatta, as only half a full race was managed. Stefan Fagerlund (SWE) won the Yellow group while the Blue fleet didn't even manage to start with very light and patchy winds all day long. A new schedule has been issued for Thursday to catch up the series.

After a series of recalls and postponements Yellow fleet finally got race 3 under way. While many favoured left or right, Stefan Fagerlund (SWE) emerged from the middle to lead round from Allen Burrell (GBR). Burrell briefly took the lead on the tortuous downwind leg with Felix Denikaev (RUS) also passing Fagerlund. However, Fagerlund went found the best pressure on the second upwind and passed both of them and then led down to the reach and final short beat to the finish line. Denikaev got past Burrell on the final upwind to snatch second.

By the time Yellow fleet finished, Blue fleet were still trying to start, but the wind was becoming more and more unstable and 30 minutes later they were sent back to shore with no races sailed.

So with only half of a full two-group race sailed on Wednesday the first order of the day on Thursday is to make up the lost race. The new schedule posted late on Wednesday is for Blue to race first and then two more sets of races. There has been talk all week of the winds finally increasing for the last two days of the championship, so everyone is expecting a solid breeze for Thursday's races.

Fourth place today went to Greg Wilcox (NZL) He said, “It was a bit marginal today. We had breeze up the first beat. It was quite patchy but it wasn't any different to how it had been. All the good guys came out of the middle. I started about a third down from the boat and tacked to the right, almost up the middle because it was quite a big lefty, and then took a few digs back to the middle. And then down the first run the breeze died out, and on the next beat it flicked to the left, so you could almost lay the mark, which made things easier. But the last beat to the finish was really tricky. It was only short but there was a bit of carnage. The fleet just compressed right up, but Stefan sailed very well to win.”

Fagerlund described his race, “It was very patchy and difficult but I got a good start and came up in the middle and then worked my way out to the right. Then the shifts went with me and I rounded first. I was under pressure on the very long run because it was very patchy, and Allen and the Russian came on my inside and passed me on the left. The Russian went very low round the mark and I rounded behind Allen. Then it lifted from the left and I passed him again. I led again at the top mark and to the finish. The last beat was very shifty, but I stayed right and then got a header so it was easy for me. Allen went left and lost a place to the Russian.”

On Sopot, “It's a beautiful town. We've been into town for dinner on a couple of nights and we're staying in a house near here. On the water, they are trying their best to get us sailing out there but it's really difficult in these conditions. We were lucky to get away today. They say tomorrow we will have 7 or 8 m/s, so then it's another story. There are a lot of guys that will be really fast in that; but you never know...”

Meeting

The day started with the Masters Annual Meeting with lots of important items on the Agenda. There sailors' tent was packed to capacity and beyond, with the major decisions focussing on future events. After some excelent presentations, it was decided that the 2016 Finn World Masters will be in Torbole, Italy, the first time the event has been held on Lake Garda for many years. Then the vote was held for 2017. The Barbados Tourism Authority had made a great presentation the night before, at which the sailors had consumed a considerable volume of the Mount Gay rum provided for the occasion. The class had been offered a very attractive package, as well as a uniqiue opportunity, and there was unbridled enthusiasm from the assembled sailors to accept the bid. Therefore the 2017 Finn World Masters will be in Barbados. We can't wait.

The meeting also marked the last official engagement of former Masters President Fons van Gent (NED), who passed the mantle to Andy Denison (GBR) at last year's meeting. He had remained on the committee to oversee the transition, but was now retiring completely. Presented with the traditional wine, he then received a full standing ovation from the gathered sailors. His place on the committee is being taken by Philip Baum (RSA).

Racing resumes at 11.00 Thursday.

The 2014 Finn World Masters consists of a series of eight races scheduled from Monday to Friday, ending with a medal race on Friday afternoon.

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Andre Budzien leads after a long day and two races at Finn World Masters in Sopot

Three-time champion, Andre Budzien (GER) leads the 235 Finn sailors at the 2014 Finn World Masters in Sopot, Poland, after two races were sailed Tuesday, to finally get the championship off to a great, if late, start. Marco Buglielli (ITA) had a 'perfect' day to sit in third, while defending champion Michael Maier (CZE) is third.

While the hot, sunny weather continued, there was another dismal wind forecast for the morning. However, there was a slight hope racing would be possible in the afternoon, after both Sunday's practice race and all Monday's races were cancelled through lack of wind. A light breeze arrived around 11.00 and the fleet set out for another long day afloat, finally coming ashore around 18.00. The wind filled in from the north and built to around 8-10 knots before easing down and settling at 5-7 knots for most of the afternoon. A tricky current also played havoc with the starts with a number of general recalls and black flagged competitors.

Yellow fleet got race 1 under way after around 15 sailors were pulled out under the black flag. Marc Allain des Beauvais (FRA) led at the top, but Andre Budzien (GER) was not far behind and he gradually reeled in the Frenchman and took the lead as the wind all but died on the second upwind. Stefan Fagerlund (SWE) worked his way into second while Allain des Beauvais finished third.

In Blue fleet it was a familiar story with Michael Maier (CZE) leading round the course to win from Marco Buglielli (ITA), who made a big recovery, and Thomas Schmidt (GER). The wind came back in enough to let the fleet finish and then dropped to 3-4 knots for a while.

It took an age to get Yellow fleet off for their second race with initially the wind dropping, and then multiple recalls as the wind and current conspired to make the pin end favoured. Uli Breuer (GER) led at the top but again Budzien came though and had a small lead downwind to win his second race of the day from Aleksandr Kuliukin (RUS) and Panagiotis Davourlis (GRE).

Blue fleet's second race was led from start to finish by Uwe Barthel (GER). Favouring the right side he found a gift of a shift to hold a sizable lead at the top mark, which he never looked like relinquishing. Buglielli again came through to second, while Allen Burrell (GBR) crossed in third.

Budzien commented on the day, “For me it was nice today. I chose the right side of the start line and I went straight to the right. The rest is a little bit easier if you get to the top mark at the front. Then I was really fast on the downwind. It was good to lose 15 kg in weight, but we will see on Thursday what will happen then.” Stronger winds are forecast for Thursday and Friday.

He thought the race committee did a great job. “They were very tricky conditions for the sailors and the race team. I think the race officer was right in every decision she made. She abandoned when she needed to, and also gave some BFDs, but it was the correct thing to do.”

Buglielli was also happy with his day, “It was a perfect day for me. In the first race I had a bad start and I recovered a bit when the wind decreased a bit. I was 25th at the top mark, but I had speed and went the right way downwind and upwind and slowly passed everyone but Maier in the first race. In the second race I had a good start and went to the right and there was a big shift to the right and I was fifth at the top. Then I recovered to second.”

“It's tough because in the first race we had wind and then it went down, and became very shifty and patchy; very difficult. But I like these conditions; they are my conditions. On Thursday and Friday we are expecting a lot more wind and the big guys will kill me. I know that. But it's OK for now.”

A very happy Barthel said, on winning his first ever race at a Finn World Masters, “There was a big windshift on the first upwind about 20 degrees to the right, so at the first mark I led by about 50 metres. A lot of the guys were a long way away, and it was enough of a lead for me to win the race.” he joked, “This is my first win, and the last I think.”

So finally, the Finn Masters have two races on the board. Budzien hold a two point lead from Buglielli, with Maier picking up a tenth in the second race to sit in third.

The setting here is just fantastic.More than 200 Finns are lined up in ranks along a beautiful sandy beach; there is a very hospitable host club just behind the tree line and the sailors have been treated to simply gorgeous weather. It has the makings of a great championship, despite the lack of wind until today.

The day ended with a Mount Gay rum party hosted by the Barbados Tourism Authority as part of its pitch to host the 2017 Finn World Masters. This will be presented at Wednesday's Annual Masters Meeting and unsurprisingly has generated a lot of interest. If successful it will be only the second time the Finn World Masters has been held outside Europe. The meeting will also hear bids for the 2016 Championship from Tihany, Hungary, Torbole, Italy and Bracciano, Italy.

Racing is scheduled to begin after the meeting at 14.00

The 2014 Finn World Masters consists of a series of eight races scheduled from Monday to Friday, ending with a medal race on Friday afternoon.

Results after 2 races

1 GER 711 Andre Budzien 2
2 ITA 2 Marco Buglielli 4
3 CZE 1 Michael Maier 11
4 GBR 2 Allen Burrell 14
5 RUS 41 Felix Denikaev 15
6 FRA 99 Marc Allain Des Beauvais 18
7 SUI 5 Christen Christoph 18
8 ITA 55 Walter Riosa 21
9 RUS 51 Mikhail Petriga 21
10 RSA 1 Greg Davis 22

Full results at: http://media.ergohestiacup.pl/results/finn.htm

More photos at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.690550260981709.1073741828.106887889347952&type=1

Event website: www.finnmasters.pl
Club website: www.skz.sopot.pl
Class website: www.finnclass.org
Masters website: www.finnworldmasters.com

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Wind deserts Finn World Masters on Monday while sailors enjoy beautiful Sopot

The 2014 Finn World Masters in Sopot, Poland, didn't quite get going on Monday, despite the best efforts of the sailors and race management. The sailors were on the water for nearly six hours with nothing to show for their day, but sun scorched faces and empty water bottles. The only race that got off the start line lasted about a hour before the wind failed.

It was a very hot and largely windless day in Sopot. At the morning briefing, PRO Ewa Jodlowska (POL) said that the forecast was not very promising. However, by 10.00 there was a sailable breeze in place and the fleet set out, hoping the forecast was wrong. But it wasn't. The wind soon died; the course area was moved as a new breeze came in; a new start was attempted as the wind began to die again; the general recall turned into a postponement; and several more hours passed waiting afloat before a another breeze came in from a new direction.

The wind stabilised, a course was set and after a general recall, Yellow fleet got away in 6-8 knots and it was starting to look hopeful. Andre Budzien (GER) led round the top mark, but then Walter Riosa (ITA) came from about 20th at the top to second by the gate and took the lead on the second beat. The wind had started to die on the downwind and sure enough as the leaders rounded the top mark again, it switched off completely, though the spectators on Sopot's famous wooden pier were treated to the Finn fleet tacking close inshore trying to find wind on the right.

Blue fleet's race was even shorter. Chris Frijdal (NED) led at the top mark; Allen Burrell (GBR), who had favoured the right side on the first beat and rounded in fifth, closed up downwind and just had the edge at the gate before the race was abandoned. The fleets waited afloat for a further 45 minutes before being sent shore. It was then past 16.00. Charles Heimler (USA) summed it up nicely. “It was a long day with no races, but I don't really care because we are in a beautiful place.”

Henry Sprague (USA, the 1974 World Champion, is sailing only his second ever Finn World Masters, “I sailed in the Masters 13 years ago in Split, Croatia, and I won the Grand Master division. I wasn't feeling like I was a Master back then, because you try and kid yourself, but now I am 68 and a lot of my friends actually died this year; it makes you realise you only have two or three more laps to go; a lap being 10 years of course!”

“I'll be 70 in just over a year. I've worked out at the gym three times a week for 14 years and my gym teacher thinks I am in top 2 or 3 per cent of 69 year olds in the United States, physically. And even though I'm overweight, and I can't run any more, I'm pretty strong and tough and I think that's because of Finn sailing; it's not the gym. But the reason I love Finn sailing is not only the boat but it keeps you really physically fit.”

“And I'm having a really good time here. I brought my old friend from high school with me. It's a lot more fun to come with someone than by yourself. The people here are great. I ran into someone yesterday who I sailed against at the Finn Gold Cup in La Baule in 1972 when we had wooden masts.”

Riosa said of his race, “I didn't have a very good start but I caught up and by the gate I was in second. And then I was leading to the next windward mark before they cancelled the race. I was pretty sure on that first beat the pressure was on the right. The wind was good when we started, and the jury and race committee did a good job today. Just a pity we didn't finish the race.”

At 48 he admits he left it a long time before joining the Masters fleet. He joked, “I just realised eight years after I turned 40 that I was old enough to take part. Actually I am quite excited to be here and hope to sail my best tomorrow.”

The forecast for Tuesday is not much better than for today, so the sailors are hoping the forecasters got it wrong for a change. On Monday night the sailors are being entertained at the club in the sailors' tent by the Gda?sk University of Technology Orchestra. Some of the sailors will be whistling along in the hope the wind will hear them.

The 2014 Finn World Masters consists of a series of eight races scheduled from Monday to Friday, ending with a medal race on Friday afternoon.

Event website: www.finnmasters.pl
Club website: www.skz.sopot.pl
Class website: www.finnclass.org
Masters website: www.finnworldmasters.com

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Finn World Masters enjoy Sopot in the sunshine despite lack of wind

Racing at the 2014 Finn World Masters in Sopot, Poland is scheduled to begin on Monday at 12.00. There are now 235 entries from 25 nations, with Finns everywhere you look. The beach is strewn with Finn left and right, while the club compound is full of even more Finns. Meanwhile, the ever young Finn Masters are making the most of the beautiful weather, great company and fantastic hospitality.

Sunday was supposed to be practice race day but it never really looked like it was going to happen as the air remained still for most of the day. A couple of times hopes were raised as a light, but very patchy, breeze could be felt onshore, but it never lasted very long. Several boats launched to drift around the flat sea to try and encourage the wind to arrive, but to no avail. Finally at 15.00 the race committee signalled the end of waiting, knowing the forecast for the day was as windless as reality was showing it to be.

However, most of the fleet by that time had realised it wasn't going to happen and were enjoying the fabulous beach, and the refreshments on offer at the club. The greatest concern was whether the sailors' tent was going to run out of food and refreshments for the 235 sailors, and their families.

The forecast for Monday shows a slight improvement, but while everyone hopes that racing will be possible, there is absolutely no disagreement that Sopot in the sunshine on a Sunday afternoon is actually a very nice place to sit around, chat with friends and do nothing much at all.

The 2014 Finn World Masters consists of a series of eight races scheduled from Monday to Friday, ending with a medal race on Friday afternoon.

Event website: www.finnmasters.pl
Club website: www.skz.sopot.pl
Class website: www.finnclass.org
Masters website: www.finnworldmasters.com

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Fantastic welcome as Finn World Masters opens in Sopot, Poland

The 2014 Finn World Masters was officially opened in Sopot, Poland this evening after the handing over of the Championship Trophy and the Finn Class flag to the Commodore of the SKZ Ergo Hestia Sopot, Mr Piotr Hlavaty, with several hundred sailors, friends and guests in attendance. With still one day of registration to go, there are already 217 confirmed entries from 25 countries, with more arrivals expected on Sunday.

The sailors have received a fantastic welcome not only from the volunteers and organisers, but also from the weather. After a day of soaring temperatures, almost unbroken sunshine and a hard day of equipment inspection and practice afloat, the opening ceremony was held at the heart of the club's impressive and expansive facilities beside the blue waters of the beautiful Bay of Gdansk. Guests included Mateusz Kusznierewicz (POL), who won the Finn Olympic gold medal in 1996 and the bronze medal in 2004.

The Opening Ceremony began with a welcome by Jan Okulicz (POL), the President of the Polish Finn Class. “Dear friends. It is fantastic to have you all here. Three years ago in Punta Ala I met Fons van Gent (NED) with Bob Nowakoski (POL), and we had an idea to have to you here in Sopot in 2014. The following year in Pwhelli, the dream came true and now you are here and all the Polish sailors are very happy to see you. I wish you a fantastic time in Poland.”

Then Mr Piotr Hlavaty responded on behalf of the host club, “Fellow sailors, friends, everyone here is welcome to Sopot Sailing Club. We are proud in our hearts and souls that you came to Poland to race and that we are all together here. Thanks to all our sponsors and partners in hosting this event.”

The Mayor of Sopot, Mr Jacek Karnowski also gave a brief welcome. “It is my privilege to welcome all of you young sailors to our city and I hope you will have good time here, good weather, and if you have the time we have about 200 pubs, discotheques and other attractions in the city. I hope you will visit our city because it's really very nice place.”

And then finally the President of the Finn World Masters, Andy Denison (GBR) opened the championship with these words. “It is my pleasure to see you all here. I extend our thanks to the team of helpers who have been wonderful. Without them the event wouldn't exist. This is the first time we have come to Poland for the Finn World Masters. Back in September when I came to visit, I immediately knew this was going to be a good event. On the weather front we have been extremely lucky again. It's obviously our lucky charm.”

Then he invited last year's winner Michael Maier (CZE) to pass the Masters Gold Cup to Mr Piotr Hlavaty, and then with the handing over of the Finn Class flag, he declared the 2014 Finn World Masters officially open.

Registration and measurement continues Sunday morning before the practice race on Sunday afternoon at 14.00. A series of eight races is scheduled from Monday to Friday, ending with a medal race on Friday afternoon.

Event website: www.finnmasters.pl
Club website: www.skz.sopot.pl
Class website: www.finnclass.org
Masters website: www.finnworldmasters.com

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First ever Finn World Masters in Poland opens this weekend with 221 entries

One way or the other history will be made next week in Sopot, Poland, the venue for the 2014 Finn World Masters Championship. Surprisingly, it is the first time in the event's 45 year history that it has been held in Poland, despite Polish sailors' long support of the event. That is being put right this year with a visit to one of the most beautiful locations in the country. And, with 221 confirmed entries from 27 countries, so far, the Masters Finn fleet is anticipating a great event.

The host club is Sopot Sailing Club Hestia Sopot, one of the biggest windsurfing clubs in Europe. The club was established in 1983 and has around 300 members, consisting of both amateurs and professional sailors, and has played host to many world and European championships in recent years. Sopot itself, is a beautiful seaside tourist town with miles of clean, open beach, and is located between the major cities of Gdañsk and Gydnia.

The racing will take place on the Gulf of Gdañsk. It is protected from the wider Baltic by Hel’s Peninsula which circles from the north round the bay to the east of Sopot. This makes the waters off Sopot’s beaches much warmer than other places in the Baltic.

Competition
The great equaliser of the Masters event is that every year new sailors qualify just by getting older. So new faces appear and try to challenge the established order of things, while the older faces try to hang onto their youth, even if it hurts a little bit more than it did this time last year. What new and old faces can we expect in 2014?

Michael Maier (CZE) will be going for an historic sixth Finn World Masters title, which if he achieves it, will be a record for the class. This year he is also a Grand Master for the first time. Three time champion Andre Budzien (GER) finished as runner up to Maier last year, but will also be defending his Grand Masters title.

Three times medalist Allen Burrell (GBR) is also back. Other top ten finishes from last year include the 1988 Finn Gold Cup winner Thomas Schmidt (GER) and Tauras Rymonis (LTU), but there are also some new contenders sailing their first Finn World Masters.

Sailors have travelled from far and wide for this championship, including teams from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the USA. Ray Hall (NZL) will be looking to do better than his 11th place last year, while Henry Sprague (USA) will be challenging for the Grand Grand Masters title, 40 years after he won the Finn Gold Cup.

As usual Germany has provided the largest team with 59 entries, with 38 from The Netherlands, 26 from Russia and 20 from Great Britain. In terms of age category there are 69 Masters (39-49), 89 Grand Masters (50-59), 54 Grand Grand Masters (60-69) and an amazing 23 Legends (70+). They say, 'Once a Finn sailor, always a Finn sailor', and this is never more true than with the Legends of the Finn Masters.

All of last year's category winners are back to try and retain their titles, but for most that is not the most important part of the Finn World Masters. While it will undoubtedly be very competitive at the cutting edge of the fleet, many of the sailors are competing in their only regatta of the year and turn up simply to renew old friendships, enjoy the camaraderie of the fleet and do some relaxing sailing at a beautiful venue. Combine a beautiful beach, a perfect venue, and great hospitality and organisation and then mix in more than 220 fanatical Finn sailors and you have a recipe for a great week of sailing, socialising and fun. What better way could there be to spend a week in June?

Andy Denison (GBR) the President of the Finn World Masters, commented, “This is our first time in Poland and I’m really pleased with the uptake of 221 paid entries from 27 countries. The usual fun will kick off, with the Saturday opening ceremony, a drinks party on the Tuesday, courtesy of Mount Gay Rum, a great ladies programme, and there is also the annual dinner and great opportunities for old and new friends to catch up.”

“When Poland was first mentioned as a candidate, we were all intrigued. However what we were not aware of was this beautiful, jewel of a place called Sopot, situated on the golden coastline adjacent to Gdansk.”

“My sincere thanks are extended to club Hestia and all the people involved in this event. The Organising Authority has been extremely helpful in the months leading up to the event which gives me every confidence that we are about to embark on a truly professional, and slick, 2014 Finn Masters World Championship.”

Registration and measurement take place from Friday to Sunday, with the practice race on Sunday afternoon. A series of eight races is scheduled from Monday to Friday, ending with a medal race on Friday afternoon.

Event website: www.finnmasters.pl
Club website: www.skz.sopot.pl
Class website: www.finnclass.org
Masters website: www.finnworldmasters.com