Masters in Medemblik

The Finn Masters World Championships have officially been oppened

The firing of the massive cannon outside Radboud Castle in Medemblik announced the opening of the 2008 Finn World Masters Championship in grand style. After the smoke and the noise had dispersed into the sultry evening, one of the largest single class regattas ever to be held in The Netherlands was officially underway. The event was officially declared open by Mrs Erica Terpstra, President of the Dutch Olympic Committee, former Olympic champion and former member of Parliament.

Defending champion Andre Budzien (GER) will have a tough time if he wants to take the massive ornate trophy home with him again this year. There are another 229 Finn sailors from 29 nations in Medemblik, ranging in age from the newly qualified Masters at age 40, up to 82 year old Didier Poissant (FRA), who competed against the likes of Paul Elvström (DEN) in the 1956 Olympics.

The opening ceremony was a magnificent start to what is hoped will be a magnificent championship, not only the largest ever in the Netherlands, but also the largest Finn class regatta of all time. Just being here creates a very special feeling. It also brought a new tradition into being with the presentation by Mrs Terpstra of a gold coloured sailing top, with a large '1' on the back, to Budzien, in the Tour-de-France, yellow jersey style. The sailors and organisers at the opening ceremony also stopped for a minute's silence in memory of popular Master sailor Lucio Nodari who died earlier this year during a Spring regatta.

Six race are planned between Monday and Thursday using a colour group system so all sailors race against each other at least twice. Then on Friday, the final race will be sailed with a gold/silver split.

The weather in northern Holland is being exceptionally kind to the sailors at the International Regatta Centre in Medemblik so far. While many visitors came prepared for the traditional May weather here, the temperatures are currently in the mid to high 20s, though in the past few days this is effecting the wind. While there are solid breezes in the morning and evening, it has tended to drop considerably around midday. However, Sunday's two practice races got away on time in 5-6 knot winds, with quite a lot of pressure differential across the course area making for challenging racing.