After delay, Finn World Masters is back

After nearly two and a half years of waiting, the 50th Finn World Masters will finally take place October 11-15 in Murcia, Spain. Despite the challenges of traveling, around 120 entries from 27 countries, as well as some more late entries, are expected to travel to Spain.

Traditionally held in May/June, both the 2020 and 2021 Finn World Masters in The Netherlands were cancelled due to COVID restrictions, so the class gratefully accepted the offer to host the event in October in Spain, the first time the championship has been sailed this late in the year.

While the fleet is the smallest for some time, it includes many past Olympians and top sailors, but the only former World Masters champion is John Greenwood from Britain.

Three-time Olympian Anthony Nossiter, from Australia, is back for his second Masters, going up against former Olympic rival Paul McKenzie. From France, former Grand Masters champion Laurent Hay is sure to be challenging the front, while Valerian Lebrun will be taking part in his first Masters event.

Other names to watch include the new European Masters champion Akos Lukats, from Hungary and runner up Bas de Waal, from the Netherlands, Lawrence Crispin and Allen Burrell, from Britain, 2019 European Masters champion Filipe Silva from Portugal, and Christoph Burger, from Switzerland.

This year there are also nine Legends – 70 years and older – taking part, sailors who just can’t seem to give up Finn sailing and become an inspiration to all Finn sailors worldwide.

An eight race series is scheduled on October 11-15.

Race details – Entry list – Facebook

Source: Robert Deaves