FINN FLEET PAGE

The JM Finn Gold Cup Qualifier series got off to a fantastic start with over 30 boats competing for the Inland Championships at Roadford Lake Sailing Club on the Devon/Cornwall border. The weekend started with a frustrating wait for the wind to fill in, which gave plenty of time for last minute tweaking and a chance to enjoy the pasties provided for the event by the Proper Cornish Pasty Company.

The wind eventually picked up enough to justify launching and the fleet made its way out onto the Lake for the first of 4 back to back races. Race Officer Chris Arscott had threatened to use the black flag if the fleet misbehaved at the start and so it was that the first race suffered what was to be the only general recall of the event.

The fleet had a short wait on the Sunday morning for the wind, but it came and with it the sunshine to provide a perfect day for squeezing in 5 back to back races. The increased wind meant that the crowded start line and buoy roundings became increasingly “competitive” but largely good natured.

At the front of the fleet, consistency was key with the top boats looking to discard any non top 10 results. At the other end of the fleet 6 classic Finns competed, although several decided to sail with modern rigs to see how they compared to the “modern” boats. Eventual Classic Boat winner John Barnes (sailing with an aluminium mast and Dacron sail) showed what was possible, regularly finishing in the mid teens.

John Greenwood eventually emerged from a close battle with Harry Briddon and Alan Burrell to be crowned Inland Champion, with Andi Wyer the best placed RLSC boat.

The UK Finn Association presented Graham Brookes (on behalf of RLSC) with a commemorative half model of a Finn in recognition of the effort he and his team put in to run another highly successful championship.

Results

Photos from the event.

UK Finn Masters 2010 at Roadford Lake Sailing Club.

The fast growing fleet of Finn dinghies based at Roadford Lake in Devon, were joined at the weekend by 11 travelling boats for the UK Finn Masters.

The 3 day, 7 race series kicked off on Friday afternoon when Race Officer (Chris Arscott RWYC) set 2 back to back races which took the competitors the length of the lake. The first to master the 15-20 knot conditions was the sole Legend (sailor aged 70+) Richard Hart who showed the rest how it should be done! In the second race Graham Page gave notice of what was to come by posting a convincing victory – which went some way towards offsetting the OCS he picked up in the first race. Day one finished with a fine meal in the Waterside restaurant overlooking the lake.

Saturday’s races gave the race team a real headache (as the wind had eased (9-12knots) but backed) and was now (unusually) blowing across the lake rather than up and down the length. After two windward/leeward races in the morning a triangle/sausage course was laid. Graham Page again showed how it should be done, with bullets in races 3 and 5 and a 2^nd in race 4 (won by Rory Barnes). The lighter winds allowed the classic Finns to get in amongst the modern boats although by the end of each race the slicker boat handling skills at the top end of the fleet were showing through. The evening social BBQ was well attended and the local cider was enjoyed by all.

The joys of sailing on a lake were again evident on Sunday with a tricky beat that really tested the competitors, followed by a long broad reach/run down the lake. However the tighter reach back was enjoyed by the spectators on the shore and the sailors alike. Graham Page won race 6 and having won the Master title and overall title, decided to watch the 7^th race from the shore. The wind had picked up to 15-18knots and the final start was especially well negotiated by the Roadford sailors who really mixed it up with the visitors. The tight start and testing conditions kept the fleet together right to the end. A problem with his mainsheet at the final mark dropped Ray New from 2^nd to 6^th and so robbed him of an overall podium finish, but was enough for him to claim the Grand Grand Master title. The race was won by Rory Barnes who clinched the Grand Master title and 2^nd Overall.

The Prize Giving saw the Classic Boat prize go to Peter Vincent and best Roadford boat go to Alan Williams. The Finn Class haven’t been to Roadford for an event before but after the success of this one are determined to come back again next year. – A real reward for the dedication and enthusiasm shown by Graham Brookes and his team.