The
closing ceremony and prizegiving was charged with energy and emotion as
the class celebrated its heroes, old and new. Most of those who didn't
make the podiums were as pleased for those who did as if they were there
themselves. The fighting spirit still lives on in this bunch of oldies,
but through their experience, they are also more secure in the
knowledge that the journey is the reward, not the medal.
While
the wind conditions were challenging and changeable, one element that
stayed constant was the fabulous hospitality from the club and the
camaraderie between the sailors. One sailor wrote, "Hard day today.
Exhausted. Awesome when four people come to help you pull your boat on
the beach and a sailor you don't know puts a beer in your hand."
The
only regret felt by the sailors was having to leave, as that meant it
was all over for another year. Sopot Sailing Club and the city of Sopot
had put on a show to be proud of and have created a legacy for Finn
Masters sailing in Poland that will last for a considerable period of
time.
The
championship was closed in the traditional way by the Masters President
presenting the club with a Finn flag signed by all the competitors. In
return the Club President, Mr Piotr Hlavaty, handed back the official
Class Flag that had been flying all week at the club since being raised
the previous weekend.
Good
things must come to an end and the Sopot Finn World Masters 2014 is now
over. All that is left is warm and happy memories of friendships made
and renewed, both within the fleet and with our Polish hosts, and some
intensely competitive, but ultimately fun and good-natured, racing. What
immediately follows is the urgent and overpowering need to go and do it
all over again. Preparations have already started for 2015 and in 342
days, the Finn World Masters fleet will gather once again, this time in
Kavala, Greece.
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento