This year marks the 75th anniversary of this prestigious international competition, and it is a real honor to host it here at the Punta Ala Sailing Center, at the PuntAla Camp & Resort.
Arriving in ones, twos, fours, eights and even 13 boats behind one vehicle, nearly 300 Finns have arrived to race over the next five days and are ready to compete for the Finn World Master title!
After the first two days dedicated to registrations, measurement checks, initial outings at sea, and lively camping life, we have finally reached the much-awaited Day 0 of the Finn World Masters 2024 in Punta Ala.
The day started with the skipper meeting at 11:00 a.m., where crucial information and race and safety regulations were reviewed. This was followed by a Prectice Race on the race courses, with the large fleet divided into 4 groups (yellow, blue, red and green). However, due to strong winds from a passing storm with temperatures in the high 20s, the race committee decided to hoist the AP + A flag. This meant a day of waiting ashore for all participants. The weather forecast for the rest of the week indicates light to moderate winds and plenty of sunshine.
Despite the forced break, PuntAla Camp & Resort. continued to show its warm welcoming spirit, offering a relaxed atmosphere much different from that of the young racers of EurILCA. The 309 Finn competitors were divided among those who sipped a beer at the Beach Bar, those who took some time to relax, and those who decided to take a dip in the sea.
In the evening under the big tent of the Isolotto Restaurant the Opening Ceremony was held, during which our President, Thomas A. Daddi, welcomed all participants. Here is what he said:
Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests, and fellow sailors,
Welcome to the Finn World Masters 2024! is with great pride and excitement that I stand before you today as the Chairman of the Centro Velico Punta Ala, the organizing club of this prestigious event. We are also honored to host you at our resort, and it is a privilege to welcome each one of you to this beautiful location. First and foremost, I would like to express our deep gratitude to the International Finn Masters Association for selecting Punta Ala once again, following the memorable 2011 Finn World Masters held here. Your confidence in our venue and our team is truly appreciated. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the international class for their tremendous effort in coordinating the postponement of this event, originally scheduled in 2021 but unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic. Your resilience and dedication have brought us all together once more to celebrate our shared passion for sailing.
These waters are rich in history, having seen fierce naval battles in ancient Roman times, where local inhabitants defended their land against the Moors. Now, we honor that spirit of determination and competition as we embark on our races.
I want to thank the Municipality of Castiglione della Pescaia, for the support. Special thanks go to all the staff of our club, led by Maria Luisa Cionini, for their impeccable organization, the local authorities for their vigilant oversight, the local Croce Rossa for being on standby for emergencies, and the dedicated men and women of our assistance staff, both on land and at sea, who work tirelessly to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Thank you all for being here. I wish each of you good wind and good luck in your challenge for the Finn World Masters title.
Next, Finn Masters Association President Andy Deninson took the floor:
Welcome to all. In 2011, we hosted an extraordinary regatta here that was so exciting that many of you expressed a desire to return to Punta Ala. In recent years, the resort has seen significant improvements: the beach, beach bar, and all other facilities have been renovated, showing how seriously sailing is taken here. That year we had numerous boats competing, and today there are even more, a sign that we are going in the right direction. The Finn class is growing and we are really happy to be back here. I thank the Centro Velico Punta Ala and Puntala Camp & Resort for their immense work in organizing this event and now declare the Finn World Masters officially open!
Finally, the deputy mayor of Castiglione della Pescaia, Susanna Lorenzini, in welcoming all the sailors, said:
Our area has much to offer, not only for beach tourism, but sports and nature and outdoor life must become real alternatives, and for this reason we are happy and proud to lend our support to this wonderful event.
