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Nationals Roundup

2010 JM Finn& Co. UK Nationals held at Pwllheli won by John Tremlett from Mengeham Rythe SC.

Event results (opens in new window)

Photos by Fotoboat  (opens in new window)

Pwllheli Sailing Club hosted the  2010 JM Finn & Co. UK National Finn Championships this weekend.  On Wednesday 21st  the first of 31 boats arrived and were warmly welcomed by the club. After a short training session in the sunshine Howard S & Mike T spent the afternoon sightseeing with there wives on the Ffestiniog steam railway. Having travelled all over the world Howard, after a few pints of Snowdon ale, said " it was some of the best scenery he had ever seen".

On Thursday most of the boat had arrived some sailing in the morning allowing a trip to Portmeirion in the afternoon. A group of 10 boats sailed in the afternoon getting some valuable practice. On behalf of all 10 boats a big thank you to Andy Denison who acted as coach for the afternoon.

Friday morning saw a busy dinghy park with final polishing, registration and catching up with friends in the sunshine. It was great to see that John Tremlett had been released from school and was able to make the first day of racing. The early light NW breeze gave way to the 6-7Kn SW sea breeze allowing the First race to get underway, after a 2hr delay, at 15.35. Rory B GBR 24 lead around the windward mark but the sightseeing of the previous two days must have been just the tonic for Howard S GBR77 won went on to win followed By John T and Rory.

Two races were scheduled for the 1st day but with the wind shifting around the Race officer raised AP A and sent the fleet back to the shore which proved a good decision as the sea breeze died away.

Saturday found Pwllheli shrouded in low misty cloud but the prospect of 4 races in good breeze. Race 2 got underway with a 14Kn SW providing great conditions. In the stronger breeze ranging up to 20Kn and with some interesting waves the fleet had a great days sailing dominated by John T GBR 642 who won all 4 races. Others who featured were Allen Burrell with 4 seconds, John M, Julian S, Adrian B who all scored 3rd places. David Higham JM Finn's representative provided some entertainment with a spectacular capsize and all had earned a few drinks in the bar along with a great curry provided by Pwllheli SC.

Sunday morning brought lighter conditions and 2 races to complete the full 7 schedule races for the regatta. At the start of race 6 the wind was light and from the NW providing shifty conditions added to by the tide flowing across the course. John M GBR68 took advantage of local knowledge and lead around the windward mark maintaining his advantage to win the race. The final race started with similar conditions. With the regatta won already John T was still looking to compete pushing the line and taking Adrian B with him. Both were OCS. As the wind grew lighter John H GBR 61 lead the way. Race 7 brought a close finish with the 15 boats finishing with in seconds. John H mastered the tricky conditions taking a win.

It was great to see the Finn fleet at Pwllheli so thank you all for travelling. With a range of conditions some great administration both on the water and off and all races sailed the event was a great success.    On Monday 19th July,  supported by John Mackie, Pwllheli SC issued a press release confirming that Pwllheli will be hosting the 2012 Finn World  Masters Championships. The press release was covered on television on both the BBC 2  Wales news and S4C news and in the Caernarfon & Denbigh Herald & Daily Post.

There is a lot of work to do in the coming months to ensure that the Finn World Master 2012 will be a great success so thank you for attending the 2010 JM Finn &Co UK Finn National Championships which have provided some of the foundations. Pwllheli looks forward to welcoming you all in 2011 when it will host a further test even which will give all the UK masters fleet the opportunity to get on the water in preparation for 2012.