Old but not out

Day one of the Finn Masters World Championship saw some competitive racing

They may be old, they may be grey and some may even be a bit wrinkly, but that doesn't stop the sailors currently sailing in the Finn World Masters in Medemblik from enjoying tough and competitive racing. Two challenging races were sailed today, Monday, in very different conditions.

In the first the breeze hardly got over five to six knots, with lots of pressure differential across the course. In the afternoon, a 12-14 knot wind kicked in producing exciting downwind legs and providing a physical challenge rather than a mental one.

One sailor who got it right in both races was defending World Masters Champion, Andre Budzien (GER), who won both his heats. The 232 boat fleet has been split into yellow, blue, green and red fleets with each colour racing the others twice, before a gold/silver split on Friday.

In the other heat, race wins went to Jurgen Kraft (GER) and Allen Burrell (GBR). Burrell, a previous double bronze medalist at this event placed 55th in the morning race, but clearly enjoyed the afternoon breeze.

At the opening briefing, Chairman of the International Jury Chris Watts (GBR) commented, “Despite sailing a singlehanded boat, Finn sailors are the most friendly and fun bunch of sailors around and it's a real pleasure being here.” On the water, the Jury had little to do, with a few yellow flags in the morning race and even less in the afternoon with the 'O' flag up for free pumping throughout.

Two more races are scheduled for Tuesday with a forecast of stronger winds coming through.

Results:

Pos	Helm	Sail Number	R1	R2	Tot
1	André Budzien, M	GER 711	1	1	2,0
2	Mihail Kopanov, M	BUL 24	5	4	9,0
3	Thierry van Vierssen, M	NED 747	6	5	11,0
4	Ilias Hatzipaulis, GM	GRE 1	10	2	12,0
5	Bas de Waal, M	NED 29	3	9	12,0
6	Luuk Kuijper, M	NED 888	11	2	13,0
7	Cees Scheurwater, M	NED 804	10	4	14,0
8	Jan Willem Kok, M	NED 780	8	6	14,0
9	Hero Mulder, M	NED 30	2	13	15,0
10	Panagiotis Davourlis, M	GRE 71	7	9	16,0
11	Gerko Visser, M	NED 81	4	14	18,0
12	Sander Kooij, M	GBR 1	6	12	18,0
13	Paul Kamphorst, M	NED 27	7	12	19,0
14	Eric Bakker, M	NED 703	12	8	20,0
15	Conrad Brown, M	USA 24	4	17	21,0
16	Han Bergsma, M	NED 100	19	3	22,0
17	Laurant Hay, M	FRA 75	15	8	23,0
18	Robert Deaves, M	GBR 10	8	16	24,0
19	Ed van der Steene, M	NED 897	2	24	26,0
20	Rob McMillan, M	AUS 2	21	5	26,0
21	Eddy Huisman, M	NED 55	17	10	27,0
22	Michael Bæk, GM	DEN 140	5	23	28,0
23	R. Phillip Ramming, GM	USA 808	22	7	29,0
24	Luksa Cicarelli, GGM	CRO 110	11	18	29,0
25	Allain des Beauvais Marc, GM	FRA 99	16	16	32,0
26	Tim Carver, M	GBR 8	24	11	35,0
27	Ralf Behrens, M	GER 310	21	15	36,0
28	Erich Karl-Heinz, GM	GER 39	14	23	37,0
29	Martin Plecitý, GM	CZE 318	13	28	41,0
30	Claudio Bosetti, GM	ITA 38	22	19	41,0