Three hundred Finn Masters can’t be wrong when they all head to the same venue. Less than 24 hours remain until the opening ceremony of the Finn World Masters 2024, which will be held in Tuscany, at the Punta Ala Sailing Center, June 7-14, 2024.
The Finn Masters World Championship was supposed to return to Punta Ala as early as 2021, ten years after the last edition in 2011. However, due to the pandemic, the event was postponed. This edition is therefore a highly anticipated return, not only because of the charm of the location, but also because of the unforgettable reception that left beautiful memories in the participants.
The 2011 edition had been the largest Finn World Masters to date, with 283 entries. Although this number has been exceeded in subsequent years, this year, with 310 participants from 30 nations, is the largest post-pandemic Finn event and the largest since 2018. An encouraging sign to celebrate the 75th anniversary of this event, considering also the chaos the world and Finn class sailing has faced in the past six years, the Finn class is definitely back on track.
With such a large fleet, it is difficult to pinpoint favorites, as many talented sailors are competing. There are Olympic medalists, past world and European champions, several Masters winners, and hundreds of aspirants who could win regattas. Consistency will be the key element. In fact, the unique format of the Finn World Masters involves eight races spread over five days, with participants divided into four different groups each day through random selection software. This division changes daily to ensure fairness and balance competitions. Unlike other competitions, there are no final series; all race results count toward the final score, thus eliminating the possibility of ties and clearly determining the winner at the end of the eight races.
World number one Laurent Hay, from France, is still seeking his first major title, and although he has come close many times and won in his age category, lifting the Masters Gold Cup remains one of his main goals. Last year he was beaten by Portugal’s Filipe Silva, and was penalized by lack of posting due to light winds. Two years ago, he finished second, surpassed by former Olympian Pieter-Jan Postma. Three years ago, compatriot Valerian Lebrun dominated to take the title. Lebrun is competing again this year and will definitely be among the favorites, especially if the wind conditions are in his favor.
Participants also include 1996 Olympic silver medalist Sebastien Godefroid, 1988 world champion Thomas Schmid and, probably most interestingly, Britain’s Nick Craig, world and national champion in many other classes, who is gradually spending more and more time on the Finn and could pose a serious threat if things go his way.
The Finn Masters often favors spectacular locations, and this year is certainly no exception: a fragrant pine forest that flows onto a long golden beach just off the island of Elba, with most of the fleet staying in cabins or mobile homes at the same resort, the Olympic village-style PuntAla Camp&Resort. This backdrop enriches the competitive event, with the social component a vital ingredient for Finn Masters aficionados. The atmosphere is that of a real festival, an occasion to celebrate everything about Finn…
Within the large fleet there are also age-specific categories, with Grand Masters, Great Grand Masters, Legends, and Super Legends. Six Super Legends, all over 80 years old, will participate, an aspiration for everyone else in attendance.
Boats have been arriving in numbers for several days and the beach is filling up. Equipment inspection and registration will take place Friday through Sunday. Racing begins Monday and ends Friday, with a practice regatta scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Here is all the info and the race program: https://www.centrovelicopuntaala.it/finn-world-master-championship/
