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Extreme40 Cardiff 27.08.2017

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27/08/17

Flat calms on Cardiff Bay hinder sailing on penultimate day

Although the day was blessed with glorious sunshine, much to the delight of the thousands of spectators lining Cardiff Bay, unfortunately there was no wind to go with it. The scoreboard remains unchanged after the penultimate day of Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 6, Cardiff, as no scoring racing is completed.

For leader SAP Extreme Sailing Team, it means it maintains its four-point lead going into the final day, while the rest of the international fleet has everything riding on tomorrow to close the gap.

Oman Air skipper Phil Robertson remains unfazed: „On a racecourse like this, nine points isn’t much of a lead. I think SAP Extreme Sailing Team has more to lose than to gain out there tomorrow. We are where we are so there’s not much we can do about it for now, we just have one day to make it happen.“

Race Director John Craig explained the conditions faced by the fleet: „Today we were waiting for the sea breeze to come in and it looked like it would. We ended up with about five knots at one point but it wasn’t stable enough to race, and then it just disappeared.

„We’re hoping that tomorrow we will get seven to eight knots of more stable breeze and that we’ll get some more racing in. Unfortunately, today we just got skunked,“ added Craig.

The Flying Phantoms had slightly more luck, getting in three races before the wind completely dropped, to the fortune of Red Bull Sailing Team. The Austrian-flagged team of Thomas Zajac and Will Ryan seized the opportunity to further its attack on ZEPHYR by Idreva, who led into the day. The Olympic duo took two race wins to the French team’s one, meaning they finish ahead by one point. Culture Foil remains third. See the full results on the official website.

„We got three race wins yesterday and two today and now we’re on top so we’re happy with that. It’s great that the sun is out but it’s a shame that there’s no wind,“ said helm Zajac, who won bronze in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The fleet will try again tomorrow for the final day of the Act, which includes the final double-points scoring race. The Flying Phantoms will race from 10:00 – 14:00 UTC+1, with the GC32s scheduled to start at 14:00 UTC+1.

Fans can watch the live stream of the racing on the official Facebook and YouTube pages from 14:00 – 17:00 UTC+1. Fans can also watch live on TV across the globe, including on BT Sport 1 for British fans, from 15:30 – 17:00 UTC+1.

The free-to-enter Fan Zone will be open to public from 11:00 UTC+1, with plenty of on shore entertainment for the whole family. Get more information on the official event page.

Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 6, Cardiff, standings after Day 3, 8 races (27.08.17)
Position / Team / Points
1st SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Rasmus Køstner, Adam Minoprio, Mads Emil Stephensen, Pierluigi de Felice, Richard Mason 84 points.
2nd Alinghi (SUI) Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Timothé Lapauw, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey 80 points.
3rd Oman Air (OMA) Phil Robertson, Pete Greenhalgh, James Wierzbowski, Ed Smyth, Nasser Al Mashari 75 points.
4th NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL) Graeme Sutherland, Josh Junior, Harry Hull, Shane Diviney, Josh Salthouse 73 points.
5th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Hans Peter Steinacher, Stewart Dodson, Adam Piggott, Will Tiller 68 points.
6th Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) Rob Bunce, Owen Bowerman, Oli Greber, Adam Kay, Mark Spearman 66 points.
7th Team Extreme Wales (GBR) Stevie Morrison, Alain Sign, Martin Evans, Michael Beckett, James French 58 points.

Flying Phantom Series Cardiff standings after Day 3, 13 races (27.08.17)
Position / Team / Points
1st Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT): Thomas Zajac (AUT)/Will Ryan (AUS) 233 points.
2nd ZEPHYR by Idreva (FRA): Charles Hainneville (FRA)/Antoine Rucard (FRA) 232 points.
3rd Culture Foil (FRA): Eric Peron (FRA)/Théo Constance (FRA) 223 points.
4th Solidaires en Peloton (FRA): Thibaut Vauchel-Camus (FRA)/David Fanouillere (FRA) 215 points.
5th UON (POR): Helder Basilio (POR)/João Sousa (POR) 202 points.
6th Flying Frogs (FRA): Pierre Le Clainche (FRA)/Arnaud Vasseur (FRA) 188 points.
7th Team Razzle Dazzle (SUI): Florian Trüb (SUI)/Ian Andrewes (USA/NZL) 183 points.
8th Oman Sail (OMA): Thomas Normand (FRA)/Antoine Joubert (FRA)/Ahmed Al Hasani (OMA) 182 points.
9th Masterlan (CZE): David Krizek (CZE)/Milan Harmacek (CZE) 170 points.
10th Lupe Tortilla (USA): John Tomko (USA)/Jonathan Atwood (USA) 167 points.
11th Back to Basics (FRA): Bruno Marais (FRA)/Eric Le Bouedec (FRA) 125 points.
12th Red Bill II (FRA): Dominique Pichon (FRA)/David Mirabel (FRA) 122 points.
13th EVO Visian ICL (GER): Raphael Neuhann (GER)/Elias Neuhann (GER) 104 points.

 

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Finnclass 27.08.2017

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27.08.2017

Finn wins U23 Finn Worlds – Oskari Muhonen is world champion

The 2017 U23 Finn World Championship for the Finn Silver Cup in Balatonfüred draws to a close after another windless day and with Finn, Oskari Muhonen, as the new World Champion. Facundo Olezza, from Argentina, wins the silver and Fionn Lyden, from Ireland, the bronze.

Sailors gathered at the club from 0700 in the morning hoping against hope that the previous night’s forecast of some wind was correct, but it wasn’t to be and AP was soon raised for another day sitting round in the blazing sunshine beside an unblemished lake.

The plug was pulled shortly after 13.00 with no wind expected all day and a cutoff time of 14.30. Even by 17.00 the lake remained motionless with the only movement that of ducks, swimmers and chains of Finns being towed to Balatonföldvár ready for the Opel Finn Gold Cup, which starts on Friday.

Olezza takes silver after a bronze in 2016 and left with a lot of ‘what ifs’ after losing the overall lead on Friday. Lyden, sailing in his first Finn regatta is clearly going to make a name for himself if he keeps up this kind of performance.

Speaking after the racing was abandoned, Muhonen said, “I expected we were going to sail today but the weather is what it is. It’s a lake so I expected it to be pretty tricky, so it’s as I expected.”

Earlier in the week he said his goal for the event was gold, but did he really expect to win? “Nah, hmm, maybe… I knew I was fast in the light but it’s always pretty good and surprising to win. My downwind in the light is pretty good but also on the upwind I felt I had really good height.”

He is coached by former Olympian Paul McKenzie, and Muhonen places some credit on him. “Paul is a pretty good coach and had a lot of influence on this.”

The Gold Cup is next up for the new World Champion.

“Of course it’s good to have a successful regatta before the Gold Cup, but it’s not the same race area but at least I know I am pretty fast.”

“If we have a northern wind it will be like the other side of the lake so not that shifty. Otherwise, maybe some light and fluky stuff. But we can have harder winds as well. Just before this regatta we had a few days of better breeze and that would be great.”

He feels it is a crucial step on his dream of competing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.

“It feels good for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic dream, wining now and I think gives me a lot of confidence for that dream. I think I will work on the harder winds especially on upwind speed and tactics.”

On his chances, “I think it’s pretty good. If I can improve in harder in the hard wind I will stand a pretty good chance.”

To get there he has to overcome several obstacle, and the Finnish team is now as strong as it has been for a generation.

At the very first Silver Cup in 2004, Tapio Nirkko from Finland lifted the trophy in Rio de Janeiro. Fourteen years later, Finland has another Finn youth World Champion in Oskari Muhonen. Nirkko went on to represent Finland in three Olympic Games and is campaigning for a fourth Olympics in Tokyo. His biggest opposition to do that could now come from the young Muhonen.

On being World Champion. “It feels good to win and it’s great. My first world championship title. Pretty amazing.”

Despite the unhelpful weather the MVM SE sailing cub has done an exceptional job looking after everyone. Great food has been laid on every night and the staff has worked tirelessly to keep everyone fed and watered.

The lounge tent on the lawn has been active all day and while the sailors may not have improved their sailing skills as much as they would have liked, their table tennis, volleyball and fuseball skills have improved beyond measure.

The sailors now move across the lake to Balatonföldvár where the Opel Finn Gold Cup, the class world championship will begin next Friday with 124 entries.

Final Results
1 FIN 8 Oskari Muhonen 20
2 ARG 48 Facundo Olezza 25
3 IRL 22 Fionn Lyden 27
4 GBR 71 Henry Wetherell 30
5 NOR 9 Lars Johan Brodtkorb 41
6 USA 91 Luke Muller 46
7 CZE 5 Ondrej Teply 48
8 SWE 11 Johannes Pettersson 50
9 GBR 96 Hector Simpson 52
10 FRA 9 Guillaume Boisard 52

 

How to follow the 2017 Finn Silver Cup

RESULTS
Results and entries will be posted on the event website: 2017.finnsilvercup.org

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on the Finn Class social channels
Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalFinnClass/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Finn_Class
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finnclass/
Tags: #fsc, #finnsilvercup, #finnclass, #finn

PRESS RELEASES
Sign up to receive press releases and latest news here.

PHOTOS
Photos for free of right editorial use will be available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/finnclassphotos/albums

VIDEO
Dail highlights will be posted on Facebook and on the Finn Class YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thefinnchannel
All videos can also be viewed through FINN TV here: www.finnclass.org/finn-tv

 

Nord Stream Race 27.08.2017

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27.08.2017

Deutscher Touring Yacht-Club (Team Deutschland) gewinnt beim Nord Stream Race die erste Etappe nach Kopenhagen

Deutscher Touring Yacht-Club (Team Deutschland) gewinnt beim Nord Stream Race die erste Etappe nach Kopenhagen

Der Deutsche Touring Yacht-Club vom Starnberger See hat die Eröffnungs- Etappe beim Nord Stream Race von Kiel nach Kopenhagen gewonnen. Die 1.000 Seemeilen lange Ostsee-Regatta führt in vier Etappen von Kiel nach St. Petersburg in Russland.

Die fünf Teams sind am Samstag um 13.00 Uhr auf der Kieler Innenförde zur sechsten Auflage des Nord Stream Race gestartet. Auf fünf baugleichen Club Swan 50 Regatta-Yachten haben sie nachts Dänemark umrundet und am Sonntag Mittag Kopenhagen erreicht.

Die Flotte lag das gesamte Rennen sehr dicht beieinander: Die drei ersten Teams wechselten ständig die Führungsposition. Am Ende konnte der Deutsche Touring Yacht-Club (Team Deutschland) das Rennen mit zwei Minuten Vorsprung vor dem Cape Crow Yacht Club aus Schweden ganz knapp für sich entscheiden.

„Unser englischer Taktiker Hugh Brayshaw hat einen super Job gemacht, genauso wie das gesamte Team” erklärte Michael Tarabochia, Skipper vom deutschen Team, völlig erschöpfter aber glücklich. “Tagsüber war voller Einsatz gefordert, nachts haben wir uns im 2 Stunden-Wachsystem abgewechselt. Das hat sehr gut funktioniert.“

Der Nyländska Jaktklubben aus Finnland wurde dritter, dicht gefolgt vom Frederikshavn Sejlklub (Team Dänemark). Die führenden vier Boote kamen innerhalb von 13 Minuten ins Ziel. Lord of the Sail – Europe (Team Russland) erreichte den fünften Platz.

Das dänische Team wurde von einem Begrüßungs- Komitee mit Flaggen empfangen. Skipper Michael Nielsen war aber sichtlich enttäuscht über den vierten Platz: „Wir haben am Ende des Rennens die ganze Zeit vorn gelegen, dann hatten wir einige technische Probleme und haben leider einen taktischen Fehler gemacht. Das hat uns den Sieg gekostet.“

Das Rennen war von schwierigen Wetterbedingungen geprägt: Innerhalb der 24- Stunden-Etappe gab es viele Winddrehungen und gegen Mitternacht schlief der Wind völlig ein. Später kam noch starker Regen dazu.

Am Montag, den 28. August, um 13.00 Uhr wird der Start zur zweiten Etappe nach Stockholm angeschossen.

Die besten Clubs der nationalen Segel-Ligen aus Deutschland, Dänemark, Schweden, Finnland und Rußland segeln dieses Jahr beim neuaufgelegten Nord Stream Race gegeneinander. Die Teams der teilnehmenden Clubs gehen mit einer zehnköpfigen Crew auf brandneuen 15 Meter langen One-Design-Rennyachten ClubSwan 50 an den Start.

Sie können das Rennen hier verfolgen:

https://www.tractrac.com/web/event-page/event_20170822_NordStream/1139/

Das Nord Stream Race, eine Langstreckenregatta durch die Ostsee, wird seit 2012 vom russischen Saint Petersburg Yacht Club mit Unterstützung von Gazprom und der Nord Stream AG ausgerichtet. Die Rennstrecke ist 1.000 Seemeilen lang und verläuft entlang der Nord Stream Pipeline. Die Regatta verbindet so die baltischen Länder, Russland, Deutschland, Finnland, Schweden und Dänemark. Die Flotte besteht aus fünf ClubSwan 50 Yachten.

Unter dem Motto „Connecting Baltics through Sports“ führt die Langstrecken-Regatta vom 26. August bis 7. September von Kiel nach Saint Petersburg – mit Zwischenstopps in Kopenhagen, Stockholm und Helsinki.

 

Onkel-Ernst Pokal Konstanz 27.08.2017

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27.08.2017

Wenig Wind und viele Wellen

Bei anfangs ungünstigen Bedingungen konnten beim Onkel-Ernst-Pokal in
Konstanz vier saubere Wettfahrten gesegelt werden, alle am Samstag.
„Eigentlich wollte ich den Kurs ein wenig länger legen,“ meinte
Wettfahrtleiter Alexander Tennigkeit vom Konstanzer Yacht-Club. „Aber
dann ist am Samstagmittag der Wind weggegangen, drum habe ich die
Luvbahnmarke ein wenig tiefer gelegt.“
Die 14 Lacustre hatten so schöne Kurzbahnen bei Wind von Ost mit einer
Wettfahrtdauer von rund einer Stunde, wenn auch bei maximal ein Beaufort
die vielen Motorboot und Dampferwellen im Konstanzer Trichter die
Schiffe immer wieder ausbremsten und durchschüttelten.
Für die sieben 75er nationalen Kreuzer stand Arbeit an. Die großen,
schweren Schiffe mussten auf der kurzen Bahn häufiger wenden und hatten
alle Hände voll zu tun bis zur Luvbahnmarke.
Am Sonntagvormittag hatte es anfangs keinen Wind, dann kam ein Ost
durch. „Ich habe es probiert und einen Start angeschossen, aber es
reichte nicht, ich musste den fünften Lauf wieder abschiessen,“ fasste
der Wettfahrtleiter den zweiten Tag zusammen. Aus West drückte ein
kleines Gewitter gegen den thermischen Ost. Viele Dreher und große
Windlöcher waren die Folge.
Bei den Lacustre siegte Lokalmatador Robert Montau vom Konstanzer
Yacht-Club, vor Günter Reisacher vom Segler-Verein Staad und Martin
Kühne vom Yacht-Club Arbon.
In der Klasse der 75er siegte Richard Volz vom Yacht-Club Meersburg vor
Franz Bachmann vom Segelclub Tribschenhorn und Martin Rösch vom
Konstanzer Yacht-Club.

Die Ergebnisliste unter:
https://manage2sail.com/de-DE/event/de2ed534-11b2-4732-adce-71ad24506077#!/results?classId=379bc59f-2738-4226-a10d-59b9cebbe196

Clipperrace 27.08.2017

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RACE 1 DAY 7: WESTERLY TACTICS START TO PAY OFF
27 AUGUST 2017

It has been yet another testing 24 hours for the Clipper Race fleet with a mixed bag of conditions leading to further movement on the leader board.

For the cluster that chose to take the westerly course, making the bold decision to add extra miles to their route, the gamble is beginning to pay off, as they enjoy favourable wind conditions and begin to advance on the leaders.

GREAT Britain Skipper Andy Burns, currently in eleventh place, has been keeping a close eye on HotelPlanner.com and Liverpool 2018, ranked tenth and eighth respectively.

Andy said: “Things are hotting up on the GREAT Britain boat as we try harder and harder to chase the pack at the front of the fleet. Hopefully our tactics of staying further offshore will start paying off soon.”

However, for those who chose the more direct route to the east, initial success has now been stalled as they suffer through another painful day of low winds in the centre of a wind hole, all the time watching their leads disappear. Wendy Tuck, Skipper of Sanya Serenity Coast, which is currently clinging on to first place, comments: “It’s always a bit tough to see your lead chipped away, or should I say smashed to smithereens!

“We are now just waiting for the morning heartbreak, otherwise known as the position report. I did have it all planned out how to go around the weather system, but we just lost speed a tad too early and never got a chance to use my cunning plan.”

This was a thought echoed by Skipper Dale Smyth on fourth placed Dare To Lead.

“Well a tough day yesterday as we watched all our hard work slip away as we sat in a windless hole.”

Maintaining a positive outlook, despite slipping further down the rankings, is Bob Beggs, Skipper of Unicef. Unicef is now in fifth place behind Visit Seattle (second), Garmin (third), and Dare To Lead, but Bob said: “The focus onboard is good, and with just over 5,000 nautical miles to push, the race is just getting warmed up.”

The weather ahead looks promising, with some stable conditions on offer for those to the west and some wind on the way for those stuck in the wind hole yesterday.

After Greenings Skipper, David Harsthorn, suffered a serious injury to his left hand which requires emergency medical attention, the Greenings team has stopped racing and is diverting to Porto, Portugal.

All crew on board are safe and well and their emergency contacts are being informed of the situation. The full statement can be found on the Clipper Race Website.

NB: All positions were correct at time of publishing. For the latest positions visit the Race Viewer.

 

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Nord Stream Race 26.08.2017

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26.08.2017

Start zur längsten Ostsee-Regatta in Kiel

Cape Crow Yacht Club aus Schweden liegt in Führung

Bei schwachem, nördlichen Wind wurde heute um 13.00 Uhr das Nord Stream Race von Kiel nach St. Petersburg gestartet.

Die erste der vier Etappen des Nord Stream Race 2017 führt 150 Seemeilen von Kiel nach Kopenhagen.

Nach einem spannenden Start auf der Kieler Innenförde mussten die Teams ihre Leichtwind-Qualitäten unter Beweis stellen. Der Cape Crow Yacht Club aus Schweden konnte dabei nach den ersten Wenden die Führung vor Nyländska Jaktklubben (Finnland) übernehmen. Der dänische Frederikshavn Sejlklub liegt auf dem dritten Platz, vor dem Deutschen Touring Yacht-Club und dem Team vom russischen Club Lord of the Sail –Europe.

Die Boote werden voraussichtlich morgen Nachmittag in Kopenhagen eintreffen. Bis dahin müssen die 10-köpfigen Mannschaften auf den 15 Meter langen ClubSwan 50 Renn-Yachten mit schwierigen Windverhältnissen rechnen.

„Es wird ziemlich schwierig“, erklärte Chris Nørgaard, Navigator auf dem dänischen Boot. „Für heute Nacht sind zwei verschiedene Wettersysteme angekündigt, die aufeinandertreffen. Wir rechnen mit Schwachwind und starken Winddrehungen.“ Die Besatzungen erwarten, dass sie auf dem Weg nach Kopenhagen mindestens einmal in eine Flaute geraten.

Spannend wird es auch für Niki Blässar, eine von insgesamt nur drei Frauen beim Nord Stream Race: Die 22-jährige Seglerin vom finnischen Team wird heute ihre erste Nacht auf See erleben. „Das wird sehr aufregend und ich werde viel lernen. Ich freue mich, dabei zu sein”

Das deutsche Team kommt vom Deutschen Touring Yacht-Club in der Nähe von München. Skipper Michael Tarabochia: „Die Idee ist, die Mannschaft vom Bundesliga-Team mit einem sehr erfahrenen Offshore-Segler zu unterstützen. Mit dem britischen Figaro-Segler Hugh Bradshaw als Navigator an Bord mache ich mir keine Sorgen. Er ist ein sehr erfahrener Offshore-Profi.”

Während die meisten Teams junge Segler an Bord haben, gehören erfahrene Volvo Ocean Race Segler zur schwedischen und finnischen Crew.

Die besten Clubs der nationalen Segel-Ligen aus Deutschland, Dänemark, Schweden, Finnland und Rußland segeln dieses Jahr beim neuaufgelegten Nord Stream Race gegeneinander.

Das Nord Stream Race, eine Langstreckenregatta durch die Ostsee, wird seit 2012 vom russischen Saint Petersburg Yacht Club mit Unterstützung von Gazprom und der Nord Stream AG ausgerichtet. Die Rennstrecke ist 1.000 Seemeilen lang und verläuft entlang der Nord Stream Pipeline. Die Regatta verbindet so die baltischen Länder, Russland, Deutschland, Finnland, Schweden und Dänemark. Die Flotte besteht aus fünf ClubSwan 50 Yachten.

 

Unter dem Motto „Connecting Baltics through Sports“ führt die Langstrecken-Regatta vom 26. August bis 7. September von Kiel nach Saint Petersburg – mit Zwischenstopps in Kopenhagen, Stockholm und Helsinki.

Folgen Sie den Booten des Nord Stream Race 2017 hier: https://bit.ly/2vsbOPc

 

 

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Finnclass Balaton 26.08.2017

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26.08.2017

Finn sailors swelter in Balaton heat but no racing on Day 5 of U23 Worlds

It was a hot, hot day in Balatonfüred at the U23 Finn World Championship. Despite being sent out in a light breeze mid-afternoon, the wind evaporated very quickly in the 35 degree heat and the race officer sent the fleet home less than 30 minutes after arrival. The lake remained like a mirror for the rest of the afternoon.

Sunday is the final day of racing with two races scheduled at the earlier time of 08.30 to try and make the best of the wind. The forecast predicts wind from 08.00 to 11.00 and with a cut off time of 15.30, this could be the only window for sailing all day.

Of the many sailors here sailing their first major regatta, Joan Cardona Mendez, from Spain, has put together some good results, though he was one of the UFD casualties yesterday. Like most of the sailors here he grew too big for the Laser and saw the Finn as his only option. “My physical conditions made me think the Finn is my best option.”

Before that he sailed Optimist and Laser. “Last year I was second U19 in the youth World Championship and third in the Europeans.”

He only started sailing the Finn one month ago. “The Spanish Federation lent me the boat. My club, Real Club Nautico de Palma, gives me a lot of support and I am where I am because of them.”

“I have been training with this boat only for the last month. I have been in the Dinghy Academy in Valencia during the past four weeks. This week if I make top 10 I will be very happy.” Long term, “Of course I like to imagine Tokyo there in the future.”

“I am discovering the boat and I like it. Much more technical than a Laser.”

The conditions so far on Balaton are perhaps playing to his strengths. “I have been sailing since I was seven. I went to the Europeans and World Championships in Optimist very young and in Laser every year since I started in the class. My experience in international events can help. I am fighter and persistent.”

Cardona is also one of three sailors who will form a small group reporting to the IFA Executive Committee on matters relating to the U23 events. He has four years left as an U23 sailor and along from Cameron Tweedle, from Britain, and Jock Calvert, from Australia it is hoped they can bring an U23 perspective to the International Executive. On Friday morning the sailors held an informal meeting to discuss future plans and events.

Another new Finn sailor, Gordon Stevens from Canada, has been training at the Dinghy Academy in Valencia prior to the Silver Cup and is in 30th place, just outside his goal of placing in the top half of the fleet.

His prior sailing experience includes Optimists, 420s and Laser, but as he continued to grow the Finn became the best option. “I was too big for the Laser and I always wanted to sail the Finn since I first saw videos of it.”

“My long term goals are to make the national team so I can get some support to help pay for the expenses of training and competing in Europe.” At the moment he just “gets some gym time with a trainer for being part of my provincial team.”

“This summer I was training with the Dinghy Academy, but during the school year I am mostly training at home in Nova Scotia either on the water by myself or with one of the Laser groups and their coach.”

He considers his strengths to be “…none free pumping downwind because I find I have a good feel for the wind and also find I am often passing boats in these conditions.”

“But the part of Finn sailing I enjoy the most is the physicality of it. I really like how on free pumping downwind you are able to put as much effort into pumping the boat as possible, which I think really separates this class from others.”

Finn sailing often runs in families and one case in point here this week is Taavi Valter Taveter, son of double Olympian Imre Taveter, from Estonia.

“I started with Optimist and also did Laser. I did some big championships in the Optimist, which were really good training in Europe, but in the Laser I sailed mainly in Estonia in smaller events.”

He is now 100 kg “Then I got too big for the Laser but I still wanted to sail a one man boat.”

He started in the Finn at the end of 2016.

He aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps, who is coaching him as this week. “I would really like to go to the Games for sure. He is a really good coach and I get a lot of good tips from him.”

Earlier in the year he placed second at Warnemunde Week, sailed in stronger winds.
“In Warnemunde it was a good regatta. But here there are many good sailors, so my expectations are not that high. I have not done so well so far, but I would expect to do better if it was breezy because I think I have quite a good physique and I hike quite well.”

It is a big ask, but he has already set his sights on Tokyo. “There are three years before Tokyo, so I hope to make some big steps in my development and then maybe I’ll be able to go to Tokyo.”

But in the immediate future he is also preparing for his first Finn Gold Cup next week just across the lake at Balatonföldar. “It’s a big event with many boats and will be a great experience for me.”

“I think upwind hiking is my biggest strength at the moment. I still need to do a lot of work on my downwind free pumping. Earlier I had some good starts, but this event I haven’t been that good to be honest. I really like the physical part of Finn sailing when the breeze is on and the free pumping. My speed is not there yet in the light winds. I am still looking for the right trim for the sail and the mast angle but in stronger breeze I think I am going a good speed.”

“I also like that the sailors are really friendly and help each other a lot. It’s a really friendly brotherhood.”

As this championship draws to a close, these three sailors, along with the 42 other young Finn sailors, the stars of the future, have one day left to impress.

Showtime is 0830 Sunday.

Results after 6 races
1 FIN 8 Oskari Muhonen 20
2 ARG 48 Facundo Olezza 25
3 IRL 22 Fionn Lyden 27
4 GBR 71 Henry Wetherell 30
5 NOR 9 Lars Johan Brodtkorb 41
6 USA 91 Luke Muller 46
7 CZE 5 Ondrej Teply 48
8 SWE 11 Johannes Pettersson 50
9 GBR 96 Hector Simpson 52
10 FRA 9 Guillaume Boisard 52