The April 2024 FINNFARE is dropping on doormats worldwide. In this rather special year for the class – 75 years of Finn sailing – this issue represents a reflection on the past and future of the class, as well as the present.
Together with the IFA the first U29 training event will be held in Torbole in from 10-13 March.
As we celebrate the New Year, I extend my warmest wishes to all sailors, suppliers, supporters, and enthusiasts of the Finn community.
Your dedication, passion and support for the greatest sailing dinghy ever conceived have made 2024 a great year in many respects. Looking ahead your committee remains here to support you and is doubling its efforts to deliver quality events and preserve the integrity of our class through considered innovation. We are in great fiscal shape as a class and continue to flourish.
In the year ahead we will consider the role technology will play in our class, provide greater support to our U29 community and deliver some amazing events, including:
• Open Finn European Championship: Scheduled from April 5-12 in Naples, Italy, hosted by Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia. This event promises competitive racing in the historic Bay of Naples.
• Finn World Masters: Taking place from June 13-20 in Medemblik, The Netherlands. Anticipation is high, with entries already breaking records before official opening.
• Finn Gold Cup: Set for September in Cascais, Portugal. We look forward to witnessing the our best sailors compete in this iconic venue for our most precious trophy.
These events offer wonderful opportunities for us to come together, share our passion for sailing, and continue the rich traditions of the Finn Class as well as enjoy spirited racing.
Watch some highlights from 2024
I would also like to acknowledge all you who volunteer time to support events, your NFA and my fellow IFA committee members. Without their support nothing happens.
I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our top-ranked sailors and in particular Alessandro Marega, who has had an amazing year on the water, in the sail loft and sits at the top of the ranking.
Here's to fair winds and great racing in 2025!
Happy New Year!
With warm regards,
Rob McMillan
President
International Finn Association
The November 2024 Issue of FINNFARE has been published.
With nearly 300 boats at the Finn World Masters, more than 100 at the Finn Gold Cup and an entry so far of 136 at the Open Europeans in Cannes next month, the Finn Class is pulling in big entries at all major events at the moment. In 2025, 400 entries are predicted for the Finn World Masters in Medemblik. The numbers keep growing.
In the 2024 edition of the Finn Masters Magazine, published in 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.
The expedition was a success, sailing at Lofoten Islands was a dream come true, a great sailing experience for all of the sailors that attended the FSA Lofoten Invitational Regatta.
Three day event, six races sailed & a midnight golden race experience with double points, sailed during the "exotic day" considered by Norwegians, 20ºC plus during 24h, last time this happened was over ten years ago, "Fortune favours the bold"
Congratulations to Michael for winning the first ever Finn race sailed north of the Arctic Circle, being awarded with the Memorial Amadeus Cup.
The close fight was decided at the final Midnight Golden Race, Filipe, Otto & Jan made the podium.
A special thanks to PL Sails for supporting the event; João Ferreira for Photography; Arild & Jorn for management & organization; Espen for Coaching & Race Officer, Marcin, Henrique, Laurent, Arild, Otto, Jan & Michael for accepting the challenge.
Photos are showcased on istagram and facebook @finnsailingacademy
Dear National Secretaries,
Further to the 2023 IFA AGM in Csopak, the Executive Committee has met and discussed various issues raised.
Former Finn Olympian and great friend of the Finn class, Ralph Roberts has died in Auckland aged 87.
- Update on the Paris 2024 Event Decisions
- Sir Ben Ainslie shares memories of his unprecedented sailing career with Shirley Robertson in her Sailing Podcast
- Digging into the Finn Class Archive
- British U23 Finn initiative is stepping stone to international success
- Olympic hopefuls, past, present and future, feature in April 2016 edition of FINNFARE
- Josh Junior claims Finn gold after challenging week in Palma
- Drama filled day as Turkey and Seychelles win continental qualifiers in Palma
- Scott and Junior neck and neck in Palma
- Power sailing day in Palma perfect for Finn fleet
- Josh Junior leads after high scoring second day in sunny Palma
- Crucial Palma regatta gets underway in perfect conditions
- Battle lines drawn on Bay of Palma
- Facundo Olezza overcomes injury to secure dream place at Rio Olympics
- Finn fleet growing in Catalonia
- Finn class survey - Younger, Taller, Stronger!
- Luca Devoti talks about the FINNTEAM Crowdfunding campaign
- Ian Ainslie wins the 2015 European Finn Masters Cup at Tihany, Hungary
- FINNTEAM – Finn class launches new Olympic sailing team with crowdfunding campaign
- 2017 Major Championship venues to be voted on at the 2015 AGM in Takapuna
- Take a look inside the August 2015 issue of FINNFARE