Regressing Back to Youthful Dreams

Those who have sailed the Finn through an Olympic campaign know it well as ‘The Ultimate Challenge’. This moniker has stuck with the class through generations and remains as true today as it ever was – except perhaps more so, as the Olympians of previous generations are regressing back to their youthful dreams of glory and finding a new rewarding challenge at the Finn World Masters.

This week the 2016 Finn World Masters at Torbole on Lake Garda pre-registered its 300th entrant. That’s right. 300 oldie Finn sailors from 29 countries will be reliving their youth for another year. Tempting fate here, it is heading towards being the biggest Finn event of all time, and there are still three months to go.

Many former Finn rock stars are now back in the Finn after a short absence because they see the Finn as a sport for life, something that gets into your system, that you can’t quite let go of, and, which provides a competitive environment while also recognising the huge heritage and tradition of the class.

“In the last four years the Finn World Masters has grown considerably and is attracting a large number of former Olympians and sailors returning to the class after some years away,” reports Andy Denison (GBR), Finn World Masters President. “Despite the organic fallout – getting too old – we are set to see one of the biggest turnouts ever for Torbole 2016, reinforcing the fact that more and more Finn sailors are joining the Masters fleet.”

They may be aging, greying and a bit creaky at times, but there is something about sailing the Finn that brings these world-class sailors back to the class after all they have achieved since their youthful Olympic campaigns. It keeps them young and becomes their pinnacle event of the year. If further proof was needed, this year there are 26 Legends (over 70 years old) and one Super Legend (over 80 years old) taking part. They just refuse to stop.

“It’s a confirmation for us about the popularity of North Lake Garda and Circolo Vela Torbole,” said Gianfranco Tonelli (ITA), President of the host club. “This year we will have many World and European championships and the king of all these events is the Finn World Masters.”

The 2016 Finn World Masters takes place from May 13-20. Additional details: www.finnworldmasters.com

Report by Robert Deaves.