2024 edition of Finn Masters Magazine published - Looking forward, looking back and looking up -
by Robert Deaves 14 Sep 2024 10:03 BST
Finn World Masters © Robert Deaves
In the 2024 edition of the Finn Masters Magazine, published September, long time Finn sailor John Greenwood looks at his time in the class, equipment choice, the changes and the future.
A twice Finn World Masters champion he has a broad range of views on the class, as well as some solid advice for new and old sailors.
Ever since he was young, he was always fascinated by the Finn. "It's what I aspired to, I guess. Paul Elvstrøm was the main man in our sport when I was growing up."
He says he is continually attracted to the Finn vibe. "It's not so much the racing or the effort, it's the 'vibe'. For me it's the 'dependency' on your own efforts, not the efforts of others. Yes, it's hard sometimes and the Finn 'tests' you. But knowing that everyone else is going through the same thing creates a feeling of 'brotherhood' that I've never found in any other fleet."
One of the class's sponsors, the Finn Sailing Academy, runs a turnkey solution for Finn sailing during the winter, based in Vilamoura in the south of Portugal. Since the beginning the academy has organised a winter invitational regatta but is now also organising pop up events and sailing experiences at original sailing locations.
In July, Lofoten in Norway was the chosen location for the inaugural invitational event, resulting in some amazing imagery in a fantastic location, as well as good racing and training. Many of those who attended shared their thoughts on taking part in a regatta further north than any previous Finn regatta.
Jan Henrich Meyer commented, "...the impressions on arrival were the icing on the cake. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Before the first race, I was still quite cool and didn't give it much thought. But when we left the harbour and I could see the coastline from the water, I thought: "Wow, this is really happening. I'm sailing north of the Arctic Circle." In the days that followed, this euphoria gave way to a satisfaction that is hard to describe. I love being on the water, but in this area, it was something very special."
Next year another exotic place will be chosen to deliver another extraordinary experience.
Also in this issue, Chris Watts focusses on Rule 42 with some actual examples from the Finn World Masters in Punta Ala (no names given).
"I asked the judges at Punta Ala to pick one of the penalties they gave and to explain in detail as to why it was given with the purpose of illustrating the processes that are undertaken before making a decision. The first principle is that no penalty will be given unless they can clearly explain to the sailor why it was given."
There are four case studies with clear explanations and background.
In 2025 the Finn World Masters heads to Medemblik, for what is being headlined as the biggest Finn event of all time, with 400+ boats expected.
Jan Zetzema, the President of the FWM2025 Team writes, "The Finn Masters World Championship 2025 will be a special jubilee event. In this year the Finn Masters celebrates its 55th anniversary, a milestone that we will commemorate in grand style in Medemblik.
"The Royal Netherlands Yacht Club Hollandia is honoured to host the Finn fleet at the Regatta Centre Medemblik, a location renowned worldwide as one of the best sailing venues in Europe. Finn sailors feel at home here, and this event is an opportunity to continue that tradition."
Also in this issue:
- Equipment used at 2024 Finn World Masters
- In depth report from the Finn World Masters
- Question and answer with Peter Peet, the 2023 European Masters Champion
- News and updates
- Calendar dates
- Results and Masters Meetings
- Previews of upcoming events in Cannes and Brisbane