Nationals Report 2009
Nationals Report 2009
JM Finn and Co` UK Finn Nationals 2009 24th to 26th July
Nationals Report - pdf version
The 2009 Finn nationals began with a training day, for those who where able to get to Castle Cove Sailing Club on the Thursday. Dave Mellor ex GBR squad sailor held a tuning clinic in the dinghy park before taking 8 boats out into Portland Harbour for a dozen or so practise starts, beats and runs. The going was pretty tough considering the 16 knot breeze but everyone who took part enjoyed the warm up to the main event. Throughout the day Finns were arriving from all over the country and overseas, the fleet welcomed Daniel Birgmark from Sweden and Tapio Nirkko from Finland both helms had competed at last years Olympics and were keen to get their 2012 Olympic campaigns underway with some racing in Weymouth Bay.
Daniel Birgmark
The Nationals got underway on Friday lunchtime with two races held within Portland Harbour, 42 helms gathered first start in 10-12 knots of breeze. Andrew Mills was able to take advantage of the first shifts up the beat and lead to the windward mark, followed by Mark Andrews, Daniel Birgmark and Tapio Nirkko the order remained the same till the finish. Further down the fleet Dan Belton had a great result finishing in 9th position but unfortunately was ruled OCS by the race officer, much to Dan’s disappointment!!
Race 2 started in slightly more breeze which allowed the jury to switch on the pumping flag. Mark Andrews lead first to the windward mark by starting at the pin end of the line closely followed by Daniel Birgmark. Daniel Birgmark however managed to pass Mark Andrews to take the race win. Tapio Nirkko capsized later on during the downward leg allowing Henry Bagnell to take third place while Andrew Mills had an issue with his mainsheet block and had to sail the whole race 3 to 1 off the boom so no mean feet to finish in fourth position. Mainsheet block problems seemed to cause problems also for other helms, Howard Sellars and Alan Burrell had similar issues which affected their final positions
The fleet headed back to Castle Cove Sailing Club for well earned BBQ and chat over a few beers about the days events.
Sailng in Weymouth Bay
The second day of the championships saw the fleet head out into Weymouth Bay, race 3 started in 10-12 knots with a small swell, Daniel Birgmark lead from the line up the left hand side of the first beat which certainly paid for those that took that option, some of the bigger names lost out on the right hand side. Chris Watts on the jury boat kept a watchful eye over the fleet on the off wind legs and Adrian Brunton picked up a yellow flag for excessive pumping! Daniel Birgmark took the race win followed by Andrew Mills, Tapio Nirkko and Mark Andrews in fourth place
The breeze had picked up for race 4 to 16 knots and with it a perfect swell giving the fleet some superb sailing conditions. Once again Daniel Birgmark hit the first shift and held his lead to the finish, with Mark Andrews, Andrew Mills and Tapio Nirkko taking the following positions, the conditions proved testing for the majority of the fleet with first time Finn sailor Luke Ridout capsizing on the finishing line and in doing so losing out on a credible finish.
Race 5 and the conditions in the bay were perfect for Finn sailing, although the majority of the fleet were beginning to tire. Finnish sailor Tapio Nirkko led again from the start and with his `out of control` off wind style held onto the race win. Andrew Mills surprisingly fell out of his boat during the race much to the amusement of the chasing pack; this allowed John Tremlett to finish in fourth place behind Mark Andrews and Daniel Birgmark. Going into the final days racing Daniel Birgmark held a two point lead over Mark Andrews and a four point advantage over Andrew Mills so it was certainly all down to the final day’s two races.
That evening the fleet enjoyed a superb meal laid on by the sailing club. Howard Sellars in particular enjoyed the dance floor as did his colleagues Mike Till and Alan Tucker, even the fleets juror Chris Watts took to the floor but the majority watching felt at the time that he deserved a yellow flag!!
Sunday dawned with warnings of strong winds so the race officer scheduled the remaining two races within the breakwater. The breeze was up around 16 knots and patchy towards the windward mark. The race got underway and once again Daniel Birgmark managed to break free at the start and lead round the windward mark, his smooth downwind style increased his lead by the downwind mark and he took the race win from Andrew Mills, Mark Andrews and Henry Bagnell.
The 2009 Nationals Champions
At the prize giving all those who took part received various prizes whilst chairman of the British Finn Association Andy Denison thanked Castle Cove Sailing Club for its tremendous hospitality and the championships sponsors JM Finn and Co, Yachts and Yachting, Tacktick and Neil Pryde Sailing for contributing to a very successful championships and one that would leave many memories for those that took part.