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JM Finn, Finn Nationals at Christchurch Sailing Club Overall

by Robert Deaves, IFA 8 May 2011 19:18 BST 6-8 May 2011

The JM Finn, Finn UK National Championships at Christchurch Sailing Club ended in fine style with two fantastic races in near perfect conditions in Christchurch Bay. Rob McMillan (AUS) won both races to take the open title from Laurent Hay (FRA) by just one point, while two top six finishes for Allen Burrell was enough for him to take the National title for the first time, after many years of trying.

For the final two races the wind had strengthened and shifted to a more southerly direction, making it more stable over the course area. With 14-16 knots most of the day, and brilliant sunshine, it was a fantastic way to end a great championships. After tricky winds so far the sailors enjoyed stretching out and enjoying the great conditions.

Race six was led from start to finish by Rob McMillan (AUS), with Marc Allain des Beauvais (FRA) and Allen Burrell close behind. A third for Burrell was enough to take the overall lead, if ever so briefly. The wind died slightly for the start of the deciding race seven and there was a tricky decision to stay inshore or go offshore. Burrell opted inshore while McMillan went offshore, but it was Neil Robinson who rounded first with McMillan in hot pursuit. Burrell rounded about 10th and the chase was on. While McMillan moved into first, Burrell could only climb to sixth, just two points from taking the open title as well. Robinson finished second while Allain des Beauvais crossed third.

A fifth for early regatta leader Laurent Hay was enough to tie for first overall with McMillan but lose out on count back tie break, as McMillan had won more races.

An emotional McMillan, who has been sailing the Finn since 1983 and won the British title on three occasions before becoming an Australian, said, “It means an awful lot to me to win the British open as an Australian. To come back here to race against people that you know and like in a great environment, its actually quite emotional, and I am really pleased for Allen. I have known him since 1991 when we sailed Solos and to see him become National Champion is just fantastic.”

“It's also great to come back to the UK and see the health and strength of the British fleet, and the fantastic event that Christchurch Sailing Club have put on for us. Today we had champagne conditions, it was perfect.”

The new JM Finn, UK National Champion Burrell said, “It feels great to have finally won the British Finn Championship. It's taken long enough, but its fantastic. Today I was very nervous before the start and that was probably my downfall today. I was sailing a bit conservatively, especially downwind. At the start of the second race I didn't really know what I was doing and went off in the wrong direction thinking, “what am I doing?”. But I am very happy with the final result.”

Hay, second overall , said, “It was a very good championships, the club and the people racing are great and it was a very interesting regatta. The English boys are very strong and very fast, so for me this was very good training. I am very happy to have come here. I did not win it this year but maybe next year...”

The championships as well as the qualifier series for next year's world championship have been generously sponsored by JM Finn & Co, one of the UK’s leading privately owned investment managers. David Higham of JM Finn, who finished 39th in the championship, said that it was a natural and obvious fit for the company to sponsor the Finn class , “JM Finn are really enjoying their association with the the Finn class and I am thoroughly enjoying coming along to events and am grateful for everyone who is making boats available for me to use, and also trusting their boats in my hands, especially after my efforts last year.”

“The event this year has been really great fun and thanks to Christchurch Sailing Club for hosting it so well - it's a fantastic spot here. JM Finn look forward to being associated with the Finn class for hopefully many years to come. With the Olympics coming up next year we are looking forward to supporting the class however we can going forward.”

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubCategoryR1R2R3R4R5R6R7Pts
1AUS2Rob McMillanRPAYCMaster722(DNF)51118
2FRA75Hay LaurentYCIFMaster33-8214518
32Allen BurrellThorpe BayMaster-1541143619
4FRA99Marc Allain des Beauvais Grand Master11-156762335
565David PotterWest KirbyMaster11076810-1242
6679Neil Robinson Grand Master1317452(OCS)243
7635Simon PercivalCSC 95119135-1752
8567Martin HughesWarsash Grand Master2-229101612756
97George CooperBembridge 128-1647131357
10631Richard HartMengeham RytheLegend-30112112015867
1123Harry BriddonOastonJunior-2220148362071
125John GreenwoodWest KirbyGrand Master1811526-357471
1318James HaddonMountbatten SCJunior(DNS)DNS3399976
1468John MackiePort DinorwicMaster616101911(DNF)2385
15647Mike de CourcyMRSCMaster1691817-19191089
1677Howard Sellars  1725201314(DNF)14103
1780Ray NewCSCGreat Grand Master41328291021-32105
1810Robert DeavesWaldringfieldMaster25-271912171419106
1961John HeyesMengeham RytheMaster24624-27122021107
2024Rory BarnesCSCGrand Master51825-30212816113
21FRA150Pascal TETARDIle de FranceGreat Grand Master21(DSQ)2614251118115
22665Julian C. SmithMengeham RytheMaster(DNF)24133224815116
2312Dan Belon Master-28232215232211116
24100Mathew WalkerMengeham Rythe 311417211818(DNF)119
2520Andy DenisonCSCMaster14-372322RDG1722122
26681Simon PettitMengeham RytheMaster833152015(DNS)DNS134
27602Merrick GillCSC 19721-37273233139
2816Mike WoodheadWest RidingGrand Master2628-3418222330147
29148Julian SmithMengeham RytheGrand Master-40313228301624161
30617Mark HarperChichesterGrand Master1029-3733283337170
31611Tony LockCSCLegend271238(DNF)DNS2727174
32595Edward ThorbornNewhavenMaster-39302938262625174
3339Luke RideoutCSC 36-393025332428176
34562Jerry AndrewsAlton Watersports CentreMaster3226-3524293134176
3563Graeme McDonaldMengeham RytheGreat Grand Master33192716(DNF)DNSDNS181
3699John TorranceCreekseaGreat Grand Master35343123(DNS)3029182
37417James Cole  -38213634313435191
38668Nick TurleyWest RidingGreat Grand Master2036-4031323538192
394David HighamLondon Stock Exchange 23-403936342536193
40620Laurence PetersCSCMaster37383335(DNF)2926198
41599/54Jesper ToftCSC 3435(DNF)DNSDNSDNS31229
4248Anthony WalkerMengeham RytheGrand Master2932(DNS)DNSDNSDNSDNS233

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