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As expected, British sailor Ben Ainslie proved his worth as the outstanding Finn Class sailor of his generation with yet another emphatic victory at the Asia Pacific Regatta at Black Rock Yacht Club this afternoon, after finishing the Medal Race today in second place.
For more information about our fast Finn designs, contact our Finn experts .
Finn Sails
Interview by Dave Hughes North Sails One Design caught up with Zach as he reflects on his win at the Trials, busily prepares for the upcoming season, and focuses on the 2008 Games
How long have you been training in the Finn? You come from a Laser and Opti background. Take us through your sailing career thus far. Zach - I started sailing the Finn at the Miami OCR Regatta in Jan. 2005. When I first started sailing I sailed the Optimist until I was 13. Then went on to Lasers where I really started to get into Olympic sailing. I didn’t make the 2004 Games and then got big and had to make a choice on where to go either the Star or Finn. I went to the Finn and have never looked back. Zach - The Finn is a very physical boat so I have had to work really hard off the water to get in shape to be able to sail the boat at the top level. The other thing is the technical side of the boat. I have learned a lot over the past few years about this and I really think it has made me a better all-around sailor because of the knowledge I have gained. Zach - I work with just one coach: Kenneth Andreasen. I think that no matter what boat or level you sail at you need to find someone who is dedicated to helping you reach your goals. They have to be in it for the right reasons. The relationship between yourself and your coach is one of the most important aspects of sailing. I am a firm believer that the sailor has to have a great deal of respect for their coach or else you won’t listen and do everything that they say. There is a huge trust factor in the relationship. Of course, they need to know what they are doing with the boat and on the race course so they can help you get better. Kenneth and I have a great relationship and have known each other for a very long time. He is a huge part of my sailing. Zach - I think what the class has done over the last few years has been amazing. It would be a shame for us to not keep going and build upon the success of the past few years. I think the next step is to get younger sailors involved in the class. Laser sailors that are too big and want to get into the class will be the next step in making sure we have top level sailors for years to come. I know that any Finn Class member would be more than happy to help new sailors get into the class. We need them for the future and we need it to keep the class alive. If you are interested in getting into the Finn let us know, we can help you get going. The Finn is a great boat, I am very confident we will be in for 2012 because it is a necessary boat for guys my size. Without the Finn in the Olympics they are leaving out a huge segment of Olympic Sailing and they are getting rid of a class that breeds Olympic Champions who go on to become Americas Cup and Volvo Ocean Race Champions. The class is very unique in that aspect. Zach - That area was a huge focus and we did a lot of testing leading into the trials. North Sails has been big part of that development and I really have 100% trust in their product. I made sure going into the trials that I left no stone unturned in the development area so that I had all the confidence in the world. I went into the event knowing that if I lost, it was because I sailed poorly, not my equipment. Zach - I have a great relationship with a small group of international sailors. We believe that by pushing each other to get better each day then we can all become better sailors. Once the racing starts though it is every man for himself and we all understand that we are there to win. We like to keep the group small so that the training is productive and you get to work on certain aspects of your sailing each day. Having a good understanding relationship with training partners is very important in success on the water. Zach - I have a full-time training schedule that is made for me to peak at certain events each year. I think that other than time on the water, training off the water is the most important because if you get tired in a race you make mistakes. Making mistakes because you get tired is a really bad reason for your results to suffer. I train 5-6 days a week in the gym. The program is tailored depending on what conditions I am expecting at the regattas I choose as my peaking events. Zach - Well, I got to test my lead up for the physical preparations at the trials. I am going to use the same philosophy for the games. I lost around 20 pounds before our trials to prepare for the famed Newport Beach light air. The same plan will be in effect for the Olympics because right now I am putting that weight back on for the Worlds in January and the European Circuit this summer. I am also going to spend some time training and getting to know the conditions in China at the venue in Qingdao. Also, I am going to focus on my mental preparation over the next year. I think that being able to keep calm and focused over such a long event with the difficult sailing conditions is going to separate the contenders. Zach - The schedule is incredibly busy with trips to Australia, China and all over Europe. I will be sailing almost every major event this year in order to get as much practice and racing in as I can leading into the Games. Zach - Ben is very fast, but Ben is also very smart and people forget that a lot of the time. I have learned a lot from Ben about how to make the most of the opportunities you are given on the race course. If you ever get to watch him sail he is consistent and hardly ever beats himself and that is what makes him so good. As far as beating Ben, first we need to see if he qualifies for the spot. Ed Wright who he is competing against is an incredibly talented sailor and the race between them this coming year is going to be very intense. That being said, I think you have to be confident in yourself and your game plan and you can beat anyone. I am going to put everything I have into the next year of training because I want to go into the Olympics knowing that I am fully prepared to beat the best in the world. Zach - You can follow at my website www.zachrailey.com. Also, I am looking for help right now for the next year. This undertaking is certainly not cheap as everyone already knows. I rely on outside sources to help fund my campaign. Your company can become a sponsor or you can give tax deductible donations. Each and every person who helps is really a huge part of my success on the water, because without the support off the water, the success on the water is hard to come by. Every donation is greatly appreciated all the details are at www.zachrailey.com. Or feel free to email me directly at zachrailey2008@hotmail.com. Thanks. Thanks, Zach! We are all proud you’re winning with North Sails. Good Luck!
Finn Sails
Report by Dave Hughes ISAF Combined World Championship
During the Medal Race cameras were carried by Pieter-Jan Postma (NED) Jonas Høgh-Christensen (DEN) and Emilios Papathanasiou (GRE). Check out the footage at www.finnclass.org/clips/finn_gold_cup_2007_clips.htm. 2007 Finn World Championships Cascais was also the first nation qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Games in Qingdao, China. 75% of the total Games berths were allocated at the championship. Nations qualified thus far are Spain, Netherlands, Slovenia, Denmark, Greece, Great Britain, Canada, Sweden, Croatia, Australia, Finland, France, New Zealand, Poland, USA, Czech Republic, Brazil, Ireland, and Norway. China, as host, gets an automatic berth. Full results at www.cascaisworlds2007.com.
Finn Sails
Report by Dave Hughes
Dan Slater is once again proving that he is one of the fastest up-and-comers in the Finn Fleet, winning the 2007 edition of the Breitling Regatta (formerly known as the Holland Regatta, and previously the SPA Regatta). Light conditions (and the well-known Medemblik bugs that accompany) dominated the race days except for final two days when winds picked up. Canadian Christopher Cook started the regatta in style with two wins, but couldn't hold that pace for long. However, both Slater (NZL) and Pieter-Jan Postma (NED) put their 20+ Race #1 scores behind them and posted all top-10s for the rest of the regatta. In the end, Slater beat Postma by only 3 points, 43 to 46. Team GBR's Ed Wright finished the regatta by winning the medal race and took 3rd overall with 48 total points. This regatta was certainly a battle of the "new good guys" between Dan, Pieter, and Ed. Postma continues to show podium results and 2006 European Champion Wright has demonstrated that he is building on his form in order to challenge fellow countryman, and Gold medalist, Ben Ainsle. The Finn fleet now moves to Lake Balaton in Hungary for their European Championships starting early June. The fleet is expecting drifter conditions; however, Balaton has been known for its extremes. FINAL STANDINGS: * Partial inventory For more information about our fast Finn designs, contact our Finn experts .
Finn Sails
Report by Dave Hughes The 2007 SOF Hyères Medal Race for the Finns lived up to the nail-biting promises of the Medal Race system – the long-term regatta lead was lost and another victor crowned. World Champion from Denmark Jonas Hoegh-Christensen taught the Finn fleet consistency with the lowest pre-drop score of the entire fleet. Conservative starts and trademark speed made Jonas the favorite. However, once the drops kicked in, Greece’s Emilios Papathanasiou came within two points of Jonas, meaning that all he needed to win was beat the Dane boat-for-boat in the Medal Race. Under the new Medal Race format, scores are doubled and cannot be dropped from a competitor’s total score. Hoegh-Christensen entered the Medal Race leading with 25 points, while Papathanasiou trailed with 27 points. In the end, the Greek covered Jonas, finished 9th, and forced Jonas to take a last-place 10th in the Medal Race. The points were tied in the end, but the win goes to the better finish in the Medal Race. Relative newcomer Dan Slater of New Zealand once again proved that he’s a mover in the fleet and took the Bronze. Palma champion Marin Misura of Croatia was strong with a Medal Race showing and Pieter-Jan Postma of the Netherlands continues to climb the international standings. Postma was the real story of the final two days of racing, winning the last three races including the Medal Race. Complete results can be found at http://sof.ffvoile.net/results/finn.htm. Next up is the Holland Regatta in Medemblik. Holland is a staple of the Finn fleet schedule and is promising high attendance. * partial inventory For more information about our fast Finn designs, contact our Finn experts .
Finn Sails
Interview by Dave Hughes
ZR - I think that it is really important to make sure you don’t burn out too soon. I have set up my program so that my time on the water has really increased in the last few months. In March, I will start to focus on sailing a lot of events to get me into racing. I will use these regattas to learn what I need to work on and will have the chance to do so in these events. That will lead me into the trials in October so hopefully I will be at my peak on the race course when that comes. The Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta and Finn Midwinters saw a variety of conditions. What conditions do you think play to your strengths the best? ZR - I like to think of myself as an all around sailor. I don’t really have a condition that I do really badly in, but I do like to sail when it is windy because it really shows who has been working hard on and off the water. There’s a bit of a break now before the European circuit begins. What are some examples of your on-land training and out-of-competition training? ZR - I sail around 4-5 days per week with a core group of training partners from around the world. We are based in Clearwater, FL until March when we leave to go and compete in Europe. As far as off water training, I work 5-6 days per week in the gym to keep myself fit. That being said, there is no better physical training then spending time on the water. You raced at the Olympic venue at last year’s Olympic Test Event in Qingdao, China and you’ve just qualified to represent the USA at the Pre-Olympics this coming August. What are your impressions of the venue and how will you better prepare yourself for August now that you’ve been there before? ZR - The venue itself is fantastic and I think China is going to put on a really great event. The conditions are going to be very challenging with light wind and lots of current. I think that the biggest thing for racing in China is going to be patience and keeping a cool head, because there is going to be a lot of up and down results with the conditions we are expecting. I also am really looking forward to using it as a great event for the trials. Newport Beach is going to be light air so sailing in Qingdao will be great practice. What’s the number one thing you’ve learned about sailing since you’ve switched into the Finn from the Laser? ZR - I have learned so much about the technical side of sailing. In Lasers you never have that side of sailing to worry about. The second I got in the Finn I had to learn a lot about masts, sails etc., so that has been really hard and I am still learning, but working with North and my training partners has helped me a lot in the last year or so. Where can followers learn more about your Olympic campaign? ZR - I have a website at www.zachrailey.com. I also have a website where people can book travel and the proceeds go to my campaign: www.raileytravel.com. Thanks Zach!
Finn Sails
Report by Dave Hughes
Hoegh-Christensen counted four 1sts, all top-5 finishes, and did not have to sail the final race. Pieter-Jan Postma of the Netherlands snuck in two 1sts and two 2nds for 2nd overall. USA’s Zach Railey continued his climb toward the top of the international class finishing 3rd, three points behind Postma. All three podium finishers
For more information about our fast Finn designs, contact our Finn experts . To order Finn sails online, click here.
Finn Sails
Report by Dave Hughes Zach Railey once again demonstrated that he’s the man to beat in the US Finn fleet, winning the 2006 Coaches Regatta with five points to spare. An impressive 27-boat fleet included several of the top dogs from around the World, including European Champion Ed Wright and World Champion Jonas Christiensen. After seven races, Railey’s tally included two 1sts, two 2nds, and a 3rd.
Read interview with Zach Railey
Finn Sails
Report by Dave Hughes Newport Harbor Yacht Club played host to the Finn Olympic Pre-Trials this past Friday through Sunday. No wind, no racing on Friday compressed the event to a 5-race total: two races on Saturday and three on Sunday. In the end, Brian Boyd (NSOD) won the regatta with a 9-3-1-2-7 score-line, dropping the 9th. Darrell Peck (NSOD) took 2nd with three additional points; and Andy Casey claimed 3rd one point behind Darrell. Zack Railey (NSOD) and John Romanko placed 4th and 5th, respectively.
Brian, Andy, Zach, and John all used North Sails. Boyd was a bit of a success story as we adjusted the luff curve of his HV2L model the morning of the first day of racing. Apparently, it worked! Andy, with the KM05, and Zach, with the HV2L, also showed great speed, but the fluky Newport Beach conditions benefited the ‘fly-weight’ (190lbs) Boyd.
Report courtesy SOLO 2005 Finn Nationals at ABYC, Long Beach CA, March 18-20
Kevin Hall edged Zack Railey by one point in the 2005 Finn National Championship, which saw a range of sailing conditions uncharacteristic of Long Beach in the Spring. Twenty-one sailors representing California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Ontario gathered for the scheduled three-day event, which was piggy-backed to Alamitos Bay Yacht Club's traditional Olympic Classes Regatta. The other classes in the regatta included Lasers, Laser Radials, and Stars (Saturday and Sunday only). The RC ran all four classes on one course outside and east of the harbor breakwall, making for some mark roundings that were as congested as the nearby freeway interchanges. Fortunately, no hulls were holed by the Stars' sharp bows and no Laser Radials were demolished by Finns. On Friday, the event's opening day, the RC tried and then abandoned two races that saw 180 degree windshifts and complete lack of wind. The fleet sat four hours on the Pacific Ocean that afternoon, much of it in a drizzly rain, and was finally towed in when the RC announced that the races would be postponed until the next day. Saturday turned out to be a light-air day with scattered rain. This was the day that broke the winter rainfall record for the Southern California area. Four races were sailed, leaving some Finn competitors anxious about completing the five races needed to complete an "official" regatta. On Sunday, the RC postponed the start until the wind would fill, causing some of the US Sailing Team hopefuls to contemplate possible scenarios as this event was designated as a qualifier for the USST's five berths and resultant Finn Gold Cup eligibility. On cue, however, the familiar Long Beach westerly appeared and four races were held in building wind and wave conditions for a total of 8 races. Olympian Kevin Hall and former Laser sailor Zach Railey battled each other for most of the regatta, and the winner came down to the last race. Railey had four bullets but Kevin stayed consistent. Each match-raced the other through most of the regatta. Railey, however, capsized on a windy and wavy run in Race 8, took a DNF, and Hall gained the National Championship. Seasoned veteran Hall commended the youngster Railey (20 years old) at the awards ceremony for pressing him throughout the regatta. Darrell Peck dominated the blustery last two races of the regatta with finishes of 2 and 1 to earn a third place in the event. He sailed his newly-refurbished Lemieux, which up until about a month before the regatta was buried in a foot of Pacific Northwest mud. Peck spent the three days before the Nationals putting the finishing touches on the boat at night while running the USAFA clinic and Collegiate Nationals regatta during the day. Fourth place went to Andrew Casey, now of San Francisco YC, another newcomer to Finns, who mis-spent his teenage and early twenties years in a Laser. Casey just started sailing Finns at the 2005 Miami OCR and has had a great three months of on-the-job training. Super Henry Sprague gained fifth place in the regatta and Top Master, sailing on the same waters that witnessed his 1974 Gold Cup victory. His dot com company's corporate offices in fashionable Belmont Shores overlook the ABYC race course. Veteran Canadian campaigner Derek Mess earned a 6th while Santa Cruz college student Brad Nieuwstad (21 years old) place 7th with the top Vanguard. This year's Nationals represented a milestone for the revived Southern California fleet, which through the efforts of West Coast VP Glenn Selvin produced seven competitors from the region that birthed the Beach Boys and Cal 20's. There was a noticed representation of Dacron and aluminum rigs and interest in equipment upgrades. This event was the last qualifier for the US Sailing Team and reps for the Finn Gold Cup in Russia in September. The places are based on the US Sailing Team rankings (MOCR required and the best of Lauderdale or ABYC). Unofficially, the team is Kevin Hall, Zach Railey (junior FGC berth), Brian Boyd, Darrell Peck, and Andrew Casey. There should be a renewed interest in Finn sailing in Southern California as the area is the lead choice by US Sailing for hosting the Trials for the 2008 Olympic Games. Those Trials will probably be held between October and November in 2007 in San Diego, Newport, or Long Beach.
Report by Skip Dieball August 21-23, North Cape Yacht Club, LaSalle, Michigan Pleasant weather and light winds greeted the 24 boat fleet for the Finn North Americans. Competitors from the West Coast and East Coast came to Lake Erie for some summertime racing. Chris Cook from Whitby, Ontario dominated the 8 race one throwout series with 12 points. Skip Dieball from Toledo, Ohio was 2nd and Derek Mess from Cambridge, Massachusetts was 3rd. With nearly 50% greater turnout for this year’s event, the class is very excited to see growth in both the youth division and the masters division. Here's the results:
*partial inventory
You are having a great year -- 2nd at the Finn Gold Cup, 6th at the Europeans and now going to your third Olympic Games. After being away for a few years how have you done this great come back to the Finn class in such a short period of time?
Richard: It has been all possible because of my extensive experience in the class and the incredible amount of racing I have done in other classes. Currently my finn skills might not be anywhere near the level that they once were but my racing skills are sharp and highly developed. Currently I am racing over 100 days a year. I have been calling tactics on the World Champion Melges, West Coast Farr 40, as well as racing on various offshore projects that have enlightened my knowledge and awareness of wind and weather.
Richard: Surrounded by good people on so many projects that good habits become second nature. Developing better tactics, experience, maturity and being relaxed. What advice could you offer to the North American Finn sailors to move up to the next level? Any common mistakes you see? Richard: North American finn sailors need to stop focusing on beating other north American Finn sailors and start focusing on being the best in the world. To be the best in the world you need to race against the best in the world and that means traveling to Europe and not only racing but developing relationships with the better Europeans…training with the best European REGULARLY. They need to be much fitter.
Richard: This summer is incredibly busy for me, besides the Olympics I am racing in the Melges Worlds, the Farr 40 Worlds and the Mumm 30 Worlds. Thru my involvement with Philippe Kahn and Pegasus Racing. My plans to prepare for the Olympics include spending 10 days in July which are the only break in my racing schedule in Athens preparing my boat, sails and mast for the local conditions by training with Dean Barker from New Zealand. Richard: After this incredibly busy summer I look forward to spending some time with my wife. I have promised her some uninterrupted time this fall as it looks to be quite busy in the New Year. I am currently very close to signing with a team for the next Volvo Race. I would love to do an America’s Cup as well but the next Volvo Race looks to exciting to pass up. The new boats are going to be great and after my experience in the last race I am now in a position to take a leading roll on a team and that is something I truly value. Thanks Richard and good luck on your campaigns!
Interview by Skip Dieball Thank you again for your business. We at North Sails are so excited that you have chosen our sails, and judging by the results at SPA and Europeans, it looks like the sails are serving you well.
Mateusz: Definitely New Zealand. Mostly around Auckland, with my favorite Murrays Bay where I learned how to drive my boat properly and very fast downwind. But the best and the most beautiful place I've sailed was Bay of Islands, 300 km up north from Auckland. It's a pity, New Zealand is so far away from Europe. The Finn is a tough boat both physically and mentally. What advice would you offer a young “Olympic” sailor from a campaign/training/fundraising standpoint? In the beginning of each year, I’d create my calendar and plan training and clinics along with regattas, time for rest and relax, order and analyze new sails, masts and budget time for delivery, which is very important. I worked separately on my sailing skills, technical stuff and physical training. In the end it all needs to come together and work out well during competition. I've always schedule separate times for each of this issues.
I've found the North to be a very sensitive sail, which need proper leech tension. I must play with outhaul and Cunningham a lot, while still using the traveler. Believe me, there is no time for rest during the race. Shape and panel distribution allows each sailor to play a lot with the twist and separately to open or close the leech. That helps me to get a little bit more power in the light winds in the top part of my sail. I don’t struggle when the breeze picks up, by properly setting the rig. There are many more things in North I've found as big advantage, but maybe on next occasion I will tell you more about them, with time.
Mateusz: I'm in my final stage of preparations. Everything goes as planned in my calendar long time before. Only small changes are made, depending on my feelings and the way I feel. In June I'm resting for one week after tough and challenging SPA regatta in Holland. Then for 10 days I will go to Polish Olympic Preparation Camp where without any sailing I will be working on my physical strength and fitness. Swimming, gym, bike, running on the beach, tennis, golf and other activities for the whole day.
Second half of June I will spend in Athens on training and small races on our Olympic course. In July I will train in Poland. Together for 19 days on the water plus physical training. All divided for 2 camps. In between I will rest and relax.
Mateusz: Ben Ainslie of Great Britain is the top favorite for gold in Athens. He is great sailor, one of the best I've ever sailed against. Sebastian Godefroid from Belgium, Emilios Papathanasiou from Greece and Guilaume Florent from France are gonna be good too. There is also Raffael Truillo from Spain and David Burrows who are great sailors when there are strong winds. I feel that Canadian, Richard Clarke is going to be up there, even fighting for the medal. I would be very happy for him if he would finish good. He is such a good man and great sailor. Dark horse for Athens Olympics.....I vote on Jonas Christensen from Denmark.
Mateusz: Most of my spare time from sailing I spend in my Sailing Academy in Poland. I'm building also the camp with hotel, on beautiful land I bought one year ago. Besides that I play a lot of golf. Also tennis and badminton. I love windsurfing and skiing during winter. Mateusz: I like Polish beer. Zywiec and Lech are my favorites
Mateusz: What a question..? :) I thought it's obvious that the most beautifull are Polish girls. Come and see!
Thanks Mateusz.
Interview by Rodrigo Meireles Kevin: #1 Focus on making major improvements in downwind speed in the skewed,
confused seas of Ft. Lauderdale. Kevin: Certainly doing the finn trials in 92 and having a few months in the boat already under my belt from that time helped. It's funny to think back and realize I was so clueless then about the rig and sail, and didn't even know you could sail 2-1 downwind! But I would have to credit a lot of my success to Geoff Ewenson, Mo Hart, and coach James Lyne, all of whom welcomed me to the class and shared information about technique and equipment which got me through the basics very quickly. After that I think I just made good choices about what to focus on in my training, and learned to get as much speed as I could out of the equipment I had. Switching to North Sails after the Worlds was a big call which has proven very beneficial looking back and certainly will be important looking forward. What advice could you offer to the middle and back of the fleet guys on how to move up to the next level ? Any common mistakes you see? Kevin: My biggest advice would be to not confuse putting your sail up and then taking it down a few hours later with training. When I am on the water I am either trying to get stronger in the boat, to improve a specific aspect of my technique, or I am on the way back in. I never left the dock without at least one very clear specific goal for the day's training session. If I realized I wasn't 100% focused or putting in physically, I would stop and either regroup or go in. It was very important to me not to practice sailing the boat at anything less than 100% focus. What is coming next, and how are you planning to prepare your self to the Olympics? Kevin: I'm spending a couple weeks at home first. I'm planning to go back to Florida mid-March to do more downwind trips from Ft Lauderdale to Miami before heading to Europe to compete in as many regattas as I can. I've ordered some new masts and will have James working with me on my upwind setup and speed - I'm really looking forward to trying some new gear. Besides that it will be the usual eat as much as possible, gym, and fundraise... Kevin, thanks for your time and congrats
again on a great Victory and let us know how we can help you to get
the Gold!
Report courtesy Robert Deaves - International Finn Association. Photos: Héctor Etchebaster Finn Gold Cup 2004 - Rio de Janeiro Ben Ainslie claims third Finn World title in fine style
The Finn Festival in Rio is over and the Rio Carnival is just starting. Rio de Janeiro has certainly put on a show to be proud of over the past 7 days and the Finn Gold Cup was just one of many preparatory events for the 2007 Pan-American Games. Most sailors here would agree that this regatta has been a great success and can't deny the beauty and attractions of Rio. However, before all the congratulations could start some sailing had to be done. The courses, which were again windward leeward loops, were set inside the harbour today to ensure that two races could be sailed. Ben Ainslie (GBR) takes up the story. While he admits to being very nervous before the start - especially when waiting onshore earlier in the day for the wind to pick up - as soon as the racing started he settled down. He relates, "It was essential to be at the committee boat at the start and head off right out of the tide. I got a good start and went right right before coming back towards the middle. I was watching for both Mateusz and David and they went too far in and lost the wind a bit. When they came out they were behind me and it was looking good. After that I just played the fleet up the middle, but it was pretty nerve racking at times." Up at the front Jorge Zarif (BRA) was battling with Tapio Nirkko (FIN), Michael Fellmann (GER) and Soren Holm (DEN). Zarif was Brazil's Olympic representative at the 1984 Olympic Games in Long Beach, USA. He is a veteran Finn sailor and today he led from the front to record an impressive victory. A large hole in the wind to the right of the course caused quite a few problems for some sailors, but Zarif led the way round. Ainslie rounded the top mark about 14th and managed to climb up to 9th at the finish, but that didn't matter. He had beaten both his nearest rivals and now couldn't be touched for the title. However the race was still very much on for the other medals with 5 to 6 sailors in with a chance. At the start of race nine, several top boats were found to be having trouble trying to negotiate the strong tidal stream around the committee boat and having to tack out and come round for another go. Several attempts to start the race ended in general recalls as the tidal set was pushing boats over and the biased line was causing bunching at the committee boat. At one false start Sebastian Godefroid (BEL) was seen inching his way along the leeward side committee boat on port tack where he was pinned by the tide and facing a number of starboard tack boats shouting at him. His response was, "This is my only way out of here. Sorry" One of those shouting at him was Mateusz Kusznierewicz. Fate would then have it that less than a minute later Mateusz was doing the same trick. Luckily a general recall was sounded soon after.
Richard Clarke (CAN), 10 points adrift of a medal going into the day, scored a 5th, which put together with his 6th in the morning catapulted him into the silver medal position. Mateusz Kusznierewicz couldn't quite find the form he had in the early races and dropped to fourth overall. Third overnight, David Burrows (IRL) had a scrappy day but two 15th places were just enough to keep him in the bronze medal position, which he was pretty pleased about. His bronze medal here this week is David's first Finn World Championship medal. He commented. "This is an amazing place. I've never been anywhere quite like it. After the pre-regatta training several of us went up to Buzios, north of Rio for a break. It was a stunning place, 20 knots winds every day and some gorgeous scenery. I have really enjoyed it here although the racing has been tough." Buzios is also the location where the Brazilians will have their Olympic selection trials in a week's time.. Joao Signorini (BRA), the leading sailor from Brazil concurred, " It has been a really great event. There has been a very high level of racing with the leaderboard changing many times during the week. Rio has showed that it is a place which can be very tricky. You have to stay calm to race well here and be consistent. Some guys have results all over the place, even on the same day. However it has been a hard event with some great racing. I think the organisers have done a great job in bringing it all together and I hope that all the sailors have enjoyed their time in Rio." The Finn Junior World Championship had a reduced entry this year, perhaps due to the costs of getting here, but the IFA are delighted that the Brazilian Olympic Committee has presented the class with 'The Jorg Bruder Silver Cup', a perpetual trophy to be presented to the winner of the junior event, as a memorial to the late great Finn sailor from Brazil. The leading junior here is Tapio Nirkko (FIN), who finished in 40th place in this Gold Cup just four places ahead of Brazil's Henry Raul Boening. Nirkko did himself a favour in this morning's race with a 5th, as he was black-flagged in the second race as a premature starter, but still maintained a big enough points difference on the Brazilian. Talking about the championship after the race, Ben Ainslie put his success here down to consistency, and agreed the conditions have been difficult. He commented, "This gives me a good confidence boost for Athens, but it is still six months away and there is a lot that can happen and a lot of hard work to do in that time." Ben said, "I am really elated about this win. It's really special for me to win the Gold Cup a third time and to do it in Brazil as well is really good. It was a very tough regatta and I really am chuffed to bits to come out on top. It's always special to win a big championship like this but to win this for the third time in Brazil", Jorg Bruder's home country - the only sailor before today to win three consecutive Finn Gold Cups, "makes it very nice for me. It makes all the time and effort training worthwhile." And after Athens. "Well I am probably getting involved in the America's Cup again, but nothing has been firmed up yet." And what about going for a fourth title in Moscow? "Well I'm not saying I'm never sailing a Finn again after Athens, so I'm not ruling out going to Moscow next year..." An enormous number of people contributed to the success of the event including the ever present Nuno Caminada, Kadu (Richardo Baggio) - Sailing Manager of the Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro, Marco Aurelio sa Ribeiro and the Brazilian Finn Association as well as the hard working PRO, Pedro Paulo Petersen. Marco Aurelio commented, "I think it has been a very successful event. Although the conditions were tricky, I think the sailors who did the right thing on the water were the winners. It was a fair championship and we are very pleased with the organisation." North Update:
For more information about the Gold Cup:
Photos Marco Antonio Rezende/COB
For more information on Finn sails, contact the North Finn experts.
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No one can look at the Olympic Finn circuit without some mention of Britain's Ben Ainsle. He is clearly fast. What lessons have you learned from sailing against him? What aspects of your game do you feel you need to work on in order to beat him in China?
A windy Worlds came down to the Medal Race in a thrilling finish to the 2007 Finn Gold Cup here in Cascais, Portugal. Spain's Rafael Trujillo captured the title but not without some nail-biting lead exchanges during the 20 minute Medal Race. Dutch sailor Pieter-Jan Postma continued on a solid 2007 season as the overnight leader heading into the final. At Mark #1, Postma took advantage of a right shift to round in 3rd and hold onto the regatta lead. But down the first run Gasper Vincec (SLO) and Team GBR's Ed Wright favored the left side, moving Vincec into the leader's spot. Trujullo remained in 6th position. However, the next beat shuffled fortunes as Wright, former World Champ Jonas Høgh-Christensen (DEN) and Marin Misura (CRO) lost their gamble on the right. The final upwind proved to be the most critical as Rafael played the wind-shifts perfectly (and with a little luck) to round the top in first. Postma was able to move back up with a favorable righty, putting him in 3rd. The downwind was a drag race, but positions seemed secure on the short course. Had the leg been any longer Postma's clear speed advantage could have won him the Worlds, but it wasn't meant to be. Gasper crossed in 5th. To Trujillo went the Gold, Postma the Silver, and Vincec the Bronze.
Current ISAF World #1 and Finn World Champion Jonas Hoegh-Christensen of Denmark proved he was the man to beat at the 2007 Finn Midwinters in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Held February 1-4 at the Lauderdale YC. The regatta included 26 sailors from seven countries. Racing was held in moderate to breezy conditions with a great deal of waves and chop off the Lauderdale beach.
What are your plans after the Olympics? Are you planning on be involved in a big campaign like the Volvo or America's Cup?
You’ve sailed all around the world in the Finn (and other boats). Where is your favorite place to sail? 
You recently switched to North Sails. Your results at the Europeans and SPA have been quite impressive. What have you noticed since making the switch to North? 
Other than sailing what do you do in your spare time (hobbies)? 
Kevin: 
Milestones in sailing don't come along every day, but today in Rio
de Janeiro, there was a very special milestone. Winning the Finn Gold
Cup for the third time in a row, Ben Ainslie (GBR) has equaled Jorg
Bruder's record set between 1970 and 72. Overcoming very challenging
conditions and a very deep field of talent, Ainslie has now won all
five major championships since he entered the class in 2001. With the
Olympic Games just 6 months away, is there anyone who can stop this
man?
When the fleet finally got away, again the majority tacked and headed
to the right, although for a while both sides looked good. Then a
shift to the right brought those who had gone far right to the front
and Rafael Trujillo Villar (ESP) led round the first mark followed
by Gasper Vincec (SLO), Karlo Kuret (CRO), Babicky Roman (CZE) and
Michael Maier (CZE). With the wind picking up to around 12 knots,
Rafa held his lead throughout the race. Chris Cook (CAN) pulled through
on the downwind leg and ended up third at the finish just behind
Kuret.
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