Schlagwortarchiv für: Balaton

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2017 Opel Finn Gold Cup

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02.09.2017

The Hun invade opening ceremony at 2017 Opel Finn Gold Cup

Horse riding, archery, spear throwing, falconry and some dubious racing tactics were the key points of a spectacular opening ceremony at the 2017 Opel Finn Gold Cup at Balatonföldvár.

The light rain did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the 124 sailors taking part in the championship with a huge crowd gathered about the renovated clubhouse of Spartacus Sailing Club, by Lake Balaton. After a series of speeches from Mr Mátyás Gereben, from the Organising Authority, Dr István Horváth, the President of the Spartacus Sailing Club, Dr Balazs Hajdu, President of the International Finn Association, and Mrs Tunde Szabo, the Secretary of State for Sport, there was a presentation of a signet ring to former Finn sailor, Nandor Fa, on his achievements in offshore racing.

The formalities were followed by a display by two Hun horsemen in front of the clubhouse accompanied by some high voltage rock’n’roll. Traditional killing and hunting skills were displayed using a variety of barbaric weapons before one of the horsemen dismounted and rolled out a Finn in front of the crowd.

The horseman was none other than Botond Berecz, brother of Zsombor Berecz, who are both sailing in the championship. Running through various common race situations he demonstrated the Hun reaction to start line congestion with a two edged sword, port-starboard infringements and gaining mark room with spears, and finally, to the delight of the assembled sailors, swiftly dealing with Jury hostility with his bow and arrow. Five arrows, just to drive the point home.

The Jury took good note of Bow No 72, and made a statement that, on careful consideration, Botond Berecz would be exempt from any Rule 42 infringements this coming week.

Refreshments and a buffet were then served in the clubhouse.

The practice race is scheduled for Sunday afternoon before the first of the ten-race opening series is scheduled for Monday morning.

About the Finn Gold Cup
• 124 of the world’s best Finn sailors are taking part in the Finn Gold Cup at Spartacus Sailing Club in Balatonföldvár, Hungary. It is the highest entry for 35 years.
• The Finn Gold Cup was presented to the International Finn Association by the late F. G. Mitchell of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Great Britain in 1956 and became the World Championship Trophy for the Finn Class.
• 11 races are scheduled over seven days from Monday 4 September to Sunday 10 September, ending with a medal race for the top ten sailors after the opening series.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE 2017 OPEL FINN GOLD CUP

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

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on these social media channels
Finn Class Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalFinnClass/
Spartacus SC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finngoldcup/
Finn Class Twitter: https://twitter.com/Finn_Class
Spartacus SC Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparifoldvar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finnclass/
Tags: #fgc, #finngoldcup, #finnclass, #finn

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

PHOTOS
Finn Class photos for free of right editorial use will be available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/finnclassphotos/albums
High resolution images available from World Sailing’s image library here.
Daily galleries with free photos by Gabor Cserta for editorial use can be found here. (Password = opel)

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
VNR footage and interviews will be available for media organisations. Please contact Corinne McKenzie for access and specific requests at corinne.mckenzie@orange.fr.

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Challenge for 2017 Opel Finn Gold Cup on Balaton 01.09.2017

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01.09.2017

Huge host of talent to challenge for 2017 Opel Finn Gold Cup on Balaton

The 2017 Opel Finn Gold Cup is a true meeting of Finn sailors from around the world. It’s been 35 years since the Finn class has managed to attract as big an entry as it has for this year’s Finn Gold Cup, due to start at Balatonföldvár, Hungary, on Monday.

The month of Finn sailing on the lake moves into the final event with 124 sailors from 32 countries pre-registered for the 61st Finn Gold Cup, the World Championship of the class.

The entry list includes the great and the good, the old and the young, the new and the experienced. Balaton has also attracted sailors from across the age ranges with the Masters, Grand Masters and Grand Grand Masters, and even former Legend, champions in attendance. Of the 45 young sailors who competed in last week’s U23 World Championship across the lake at Balatonfüred, around 35 have also entered the Finn Gold Cup.

The line-up also includes former World and European champions, as well as 12 of the sailors who took part in the Rio 2016 Olympics. It covers the full spectrum of Finn sailors and Finn sailing and whoever comes out on top by next Sunday will be fully deserving of the title of Finn World Champion.

Only two of the sailors here have previously won the title. Ed Wright won in 2010 and Jorge Zarif won in 2013. Both have had good seasons so far with Wright picking up the silver at the Europeans and Zarif winning the World Cup Series Miami. Last year’s champion Giles Scott is not competing, so the Finn Gold Cup will change hands for the first time since Zarif’s win in Tallinn.

The European Champion, Jonathan Lobert, is still looking for his first world title and is one of the clear favourites this week. The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist had a disappointing Olympics in Rio, but has bounced back faster than ever. However, this will be no easy championship, with the tricky conditions that Balaton is famous for, and at least 15-20 sailors capable of winning the title.

There is a deep field of talent in the class with all the major events so far this year being won by different sailors. Nick Heiner is on a high after winning last month’s 2018 World Championship test event in Aarhus, Denmark. Though he made it look fairly easy there, a lot of top names were missing. Alican Kaynar took also took his first major win in the class earlier this year with a victory in Hyeres, as did Max Salminen in Palma. Ben Cornish also took his first major win with gold at the Sailing World Cup Final in Santander.

Also competing on Balaton next week will be the 2010 European Champion, Ioannis Mitakis, as well as other recent Olympians Tapio Nirkko, Facundo Olezza, Anders Pedersen, Piotr Kula, Jake Lilley, Tom Ramshaw and Deniss Karpak.

But, perhaps the biggest headline stealer could be that of Hungary’s own Zsombor Berecz, a sporting and sailing hero in Hungary. The home favourite has been strong all year with a fifth at the Europeans and a silver medals in Santander and Palma.

The last time the Finn class sailed a major Championship on Balaton was the 2007 European Championship, also at Spartacus Vitorlás Egylet at Balatonföldvár, the host club for this championship. That year produced a few surprising results and no one is expecting anything different this year.

Many of the sailors have trimmed off some weight for this event, which of course means the forecast shows moderate to strong winds for the early part of the championship. Practice sessions over the past few days have ranged from northerly 8-12 knots to southerly 12-16 knots. But it’s what happened next week that counts.

Registration and equipment inspection continue until Sunday, with the Opening Ceremony on Saturday evening. Racing is then scheduled from Monday to Sunday with the medal race for the top ten concluding the event.

 

About the Finn Gold Cup
• 124 of the world’s best Finn sailors are taking part in the Finn Gold Cup in Balatonföldvár, Hungary. It is the highest entry for 35 years.
• The Finn Gold Cup was presented to the International Finn Association by the late F. G. Mitchell of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Great Britain in 1956 and became the World Championship Trophy for the Finn Class.
• 11 races are scheduled over seven days from Monday 4 August to Sunday 10 August, ending with a medal race for the top ten sailors after the opening series.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE 2017 OPEL FINN GOLD CUP

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

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on the Finn Class social channels
Finn Class Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalFinnClass/
Spartacus SC Facebook: https://facebook.com/spartacus.vitorlasegylet
Finn Class Twitter: https://twitter.com/Finn_Class
Spartacus SC Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparifoldvar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finnclass/
Tags: #fgc, #finngoldcup, #finnclass, #finn

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

PHOTOS
Finn Class photos for free of right editorial use will be available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/finnclassphotos/albums
High resolution images available from World Sailing’s image library here.
Daily galleries with free photos by Gabor Cserta for editorial use can be found here.

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
VNR footage and interviews will be available for media organisations. Please contact Corinne McKenzie for access and specific requests at corinne.mckenzie@orange.fr.

 

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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

 

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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

 

 

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Finnclass 25.08.2017

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Oskari Muhonen storms to top of U23 Finn Worlds after two late races on Day 4

Another long day of waiting for wind was rewarded with two late races on Day 4 of the U23 Finn World Championship in Balatonfüred, Hungary. Oskari Muhonen, from Finland, won the day to now lead the fleet by five points. He very nearly won both races.

Facundo Olezza, from Argentina, had a day to forget and dropped to second, while Fionn Lyden, of Ireland, had a stellar day to climb to third.

The long postponement was lifted just after 15.30 when a light southerly established itself on the lake following a day of zero breeze and sweltering temperatures. By race time it was 6-8 knots and the best breeze the sailors had seen for three days.

Lyden led round the top after favouring the left from Henry Wetherell, from Britain, and Joan Cardona Méndez, of Spain. Lyden still led at the gate but a crazy second beat let Wetherell through to the lead. He looked to have it sealed but Muhonen caught him downwind, and was ahead at the gate, but on the outside. Wetherall just crossed the finish ahead, but overlapped with Muhonen, with Lyden a comfortable third.

Three of the top 10 picked up a UFD starting penalty, including regatta leader Olezza.

Race 6 was started without delay to make best use of the breeze and this time Lars Johan Brodtkorb led at the top but he infringed Muhonen, who took the lead and sailed away for a huge win. The next boat was not even round the leeward mark as he crossed the finish.

Lyden controlled second place all the way with Jack Arnell, from Britain, moving up to third on the second beat, but was then passed by Brodtkorb on the final downwind.

As the fleet finished, the wind was still in place, albeit lighter, and the race team tried to get a third race in but after two false starts they called it a day with the setting sun spreading its golden light across the usually green Lake Balaton.

Lyden said of the day, “I thought we were done with sailing today, but then they sent out which was good. Both starts were very pin end biased and I managed to get away quite nicely. I was good both top marks and from there I just tried to cover the fleet as best I could to protect the left hand side, which seems to be good here.”

He said he is enjoying his first Finn regatta. “It’s good so far. It’s a really friendly and nice class, and I am looking forward to the Gold Cup as well next week.”

“I love sailing the Finn. I love the more technical side to it and the downwind with free pumping.”

Muhonen moved from sixth to first overall after his day’s work and is now where he wants to be.

“After the bronze in the youth Europeans this year I was thinking about the gold here, as well as getting some good training before the gold cup, but I would just be happy with a medal.”

Muhonen has only been in the class for just over a year. “I came into the Finn because I got to big for the Laser.” Before that he sailed Optimist, Europe and Laser. He won a few National titles in the Europe, and was 10th at the Laser youth worlds.

On Friday’s racing he said, “It was a pretty good day. Not as shifty as the first days.”

On the race win, “I got a pretty good start in the middle and let the Irish guy cross me and went for the left and the pressure. And then I was first at the top mark and pretty much stayed there.”

He trains a lot with his fellow Finn sailors Mikael Hyrylainen and triple Olympian Tapio Nirkko, as well as Max Salmimen from Sweden. “We also get a lot of help from the Federation, so that’s good as well.”

At the Europeans this year he finished as top Finnish sailor. He has his sights firmly set on the long term goals. “My long term goal is definitely Tokyo; and Olympics after that as well.”

He says the most attractive part of Finn sailing to him is the downwind. “Downwind sailing is pretty great, with free pumping and the physical aspect. It’s definitely a good boat to sail.”

“Also the social side of the class is great. Especially this regatta, which has been very well organised.”

He feels he is having a good regatta so far. “It feels good to be leading now, definitely. Two more days to go.”

If today shows anything it is that Balaton still has a lot of surprises in store, and no one can rely on anything. Day 4 produced lots of high scores throughout the leader board and lots of lessons learned. There are still a maximum of six races left to sail, so the championship could be considered only half way through, with just two days to go.

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

 

If today shows anything it is that Balaton still has a lot of surprises in store, and no one can rely on anything. Day 4 produced lots of high scores throughout the leader board and lots of lessons learned. There are still a maximum of six races left to sail, so the championship could be considered only half way through, with just two days to go.

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

 

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Finnclass 23.08.2017

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23.08.2017

No racing on Day 2 at U23 Finn Worlds: Finn youth and wind play games all day

Despite spending four hours on the water, no more racing was possible at the U23 Finn World Championship at Balatonfüred. The sailors were twice sent out on the water, but both times came back empty handed.

Everyone expected to lose a day or more of racing, but no one expected to lose the second day, which had the second best forecast of the week.

The day began with an AP ashore, which then continued afloat for an hour before the sailors were sent back to shore to wait under a further AP. Finally they were sent back out again as a relativity stable 6-8 knots had settled over the course area. This started to drop and shift as soon as the fleet arrived and despite two attempts to get the race away, at 17.00 the fleet was sent shore again.

After racing the sailors met in the tent by the marina to debrief and for the prizegiving for Day 1 when each of the three race winners received goodie bags from Rooster, one of the event’s sponsors.

Of the 45 young sailors competing this week, 15 are under 19 years old, therefore, to recognise this, it was announced that an U19 prize will also be awarded to further encourage those just starting their Finn careers.

For Thursday the early forecast is for no wind so the start time has been delayed until 11.30, with three races scheduled if there is sufficient time. Even then the forecast is still only for light winds.

One thing is for sure. It is going to be a long week. With the exception of Friday, the forecasts show little sign of conditions improving, though it’s also getting a lot hotter.

Results after 3 races

1 ARG 48 Facundo Olezza 8
2 GBR 71 Henry Weltherell 21
3 GBR 96 Hector Simpson 22
4 IRL 22 Fionn Lyden 22
5 USA 91 Luke Muller 23
6 SWE 11 Johannes Pettersson 29
7 FRA 9 Guillaume Boisard 30
8 FIN 8 Oskari Muhonen 32
9 CZE 5 Ondrej Teply 33
10 RUS 1 Evgenii Deev 39

Full results so far here.

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

Finnclass 22.08.2017

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22.08.2017

2017 U23 Finn World Championship opened at Balatonfüred

The 2017 U23 Finn World Championship for the Finn Silver Cup at Balatonfüred was officially declared open tonight in a ceremony overlooking Lake Balaton. Over the coming week nearly 50 young sailors from 21 countries will be fighting to win the right to lift the Jorg Bruder Finn Silver Cup, a trophy gifted to the International Finn Association 13 years ago by the Brazilian Olympic Committee.

On stage were Dr Imre Molnar, Manager of the MVM SE sailing club, Dr Balazs Hajdu, President of the International Finn Association and Andras Holczhauser, Secretary General of the Hungarian Sailing Federation.

After Dr Molnar opening the evening and welcomed everyone to the event, Mr Holczhauser thanked those involved in putting the event together especially Réka Fluck who has worked tirelessly to bring everything together. He hoped the weather would be kind and allow enough wind to complete the regatta and wished all the sailors fair winds and fair racing.

Then Dr Hajdu welcomed everyone to his home lake and recognised the huge turnout. He then remembered the last Junior championship in which he competed back in 1996 when the winner, a young Mateusz Kusznierewicz, went on to win Olympic gold in Atlanta later that same year and hoped that some of the sailors here could go on to achieve the same.

Dr Hajdu also spoke about the history of the championship and the legacy of the cup remembering Jorg Bruder, the first ever three time Finn World Champion, who died in a plane crash on his way to defend his title in 1973.

The 2016 winner, Phillip Kasüske, was then called to the stage to hand the Finn Silver Cup to Dr Molnar for safekeeping until the end of the championship.

A lavish buffet, well received by the sailors and meeting traditional Finn standards, was then served in the tent overlooking the lake.

Earlier in the day around 25 sailors went out for the practice race. With winds varying from 5 to over 20 knots, it provided a slight taste of the challenges ahead with big shifts and pressure changes across the course. By the second top mark, the 2011 champion Arkadiy Kistanov was in front of the seven boats remaining in the race and led the fleet back to shore ready for the 10.00 scheduled start on Tuesday.

About the Finn Silver Cup
• 48 of the world’s best young Finn sailors are taking part in the U23 Finn World Championship for the Jorg Bruder Finn Silver Cup in Balatonfüred, Hungary.
• The ‚Jorg Bruder Silver Cup‘ was presented to the Finn Class in 2003, on the occasion of the Finn Gold Cup in Rio, by the Brazilian Olympic Committee as a memorial to the late great Finn sailor from Brazil.
• 13 races will be held over six days from Tuesday 22 August to Sunday 27 August.

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
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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