One
hundred and thirty seven Finns from 21 countries are waiting on a
beautiful sandy beach under the brilliant blue skies of Barbados as the
2017 Finn World Masters was officially opened Sunday night at the
Barbados Yacht Club overlooking the picture book azure waters of
Carlisle Bay. Following directly on from the OK Dinghy World Championship last week, a
lot of the sailors arrived early and have been training in the bay to
try to get to grips with its idiosyncrasies that became rapidly apparent
during the OK regatta.
The Practice Race was scheduled earlier on
Sunday but a strong wind gusting to 28 knots exceeded the wind limit set
by the class and racing was abandoned shortly after the fleet arrived
in the start area. It wasn’t all-bad news though as it enabled the
sailors to spend more time on the beach enjoying the club’s excellent
hospitality.
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The Opening Ceremony at the Barbados Yacht
Club tonight was attended by Gus Reader, President of the Barbados
Sailing Association, Geoffrey Evelyn, Commodore of the Barbados Yacht
Club, Bryn Palmer, Commodore of the Barbados Cruising Club, Andy
Denison, President of the Finn World Masters, and Senator Darcy Boyce,
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Energy, Immigration,
Telecommunications and Invest Barbados.
Mr Reader opened with a challenge to the Finn sailors, “Just over a week ago we hosted the OK Dinghy World Championships. We are now hosting the hardcore sailors and the winds gods have sent the hard core winds for the hard core sailors.”
Thanking the many volunteers making these events possible he said, “The sailing community in Barbados is committed and generous towards our sport in Barbados. It is my hope these events leave a legacy to Barbados sailing especially the junior sailors."
He also noted, “This is the sixth and our largest championship we have held in Barbados.”
Mr Denison replied, “It's been a long time coming but I think have all been looking forward to this. We've have nothing like this for a long time.”
Then the 2016 Finn World Masters Champion, Rafael Trujillo, presented the trophy to Mr Reader to take care of for the week ahead.
Before Mr Denison declared the championship open, Senator Boyce talked about the long term vision for Barbados sailing to develop the skills of its youth sailors and creating “a vigorous programme of sailing in schools. We want to make sure that the industry reflects all ages of sailors in Barbados.”
He summed up, saying, “Have a wonderful sailing all week and I wish you all wondering sailing and wonderful competition.”
Forecasts for Monday and later suggest even stronger winds…we hope they are inaccurate. Eight races are scheduled over the coming week with five titles up for grabs: Masters, Grand Masters, Grand Grand Masters, Legends and Finn Masters World Champion. Judging by the conditions so far it is going to be a tough but thoroughly enjoyable championship both on and off the water.
Mr Reader opened with a challenge to the Finn sailors, “Just over a week ago we hosted the OK Dinghy World Championships. We are now hosting the hardcore sailors and the winds gods have sent the hard core winds for the hard core sailors.”
Thanking the many volunteers making these events possible he said, “The sailing community in Barbados is committed and generous towards our sport in Barbados. It is my hope these events leave a legacy to Barbados sailing especially the junior sailors."
He also noted, “This is the sixth and our largest championship we have held in Barbados.”
Mr Denison replied, “It's been a long time coming but I think have all been looking forward to this. We've have nothing like this for a long time.”
Then the 2016 Finn World Masters Champion, Rafael Trujillo, presented the trophy to Mr Reader to take care of for the week ahead.
Before Mr Denison declared the championship open, Senator Boyce talked about the long term vision for Barbados sailing to develop the skills of its youth sailors and creating “a vigorous programme of sailing in schools. We want to make sure that the industry reflects all ages of sailors in Barbados.”
He summed up, saying, “Have a wonderful sailing all week and I wish you all wondering sailing and wonderful competition.”
Forecasts for Monday and later suggest even stronger winds…we hope they are inaccurate. Eight races are scheduled over the coming week with five titles up for grabs: Masters, Grand Masters, Grand Grand Masters, Legends and Finn Masters World Champion. Judging by the conditions so far it is going to be a tough but thoroughly enjoyable championship both on and off the water.
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