The waiting is almost over. The anticipation is intense. The competition will be tough. The sailors are ready. The 2015 Finn Gold Cup gets under way Monday with the practice race before a series of 10 fleet races decided who goes through to next Sunday's medal race.
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have won the 2015 49er World Championship in Argentina today making it three consecutive world titles in the Olympic skiff class and extending their unprecedented unbeaten run to 22 victories in a row.
It was more the land of the long grey cloud than the long white cloud today as amid an atmosphere of tradition and fanfare the 2015 Finn Gold Cup was officially declared open on Takapuna Beach, New Zealand. The Rangitoro volcano provided a dramatic backdrop to a dramatic ceremony, just visible through the rain through the murk across the Hauraki Gulf.
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke will take a 12 point lead into the final day of the 2015 49er and 49erFX World Championships as they attempt to take the 49er crown for 2015 and make it three back to back world titles.
Thunderstorms and rain squalls meant no racing for either the men’s and women’s gold fleet on day four of the 2015 49er and 49erFX World Championships on now in Argentina.
The 2015 Finn Gold Cup at Takapuna Boating Club is now just five days away. Measurement and registration begin on Saturday with the opening ceremony on Saturday evening. Practice is almost over with the Pre-Worlds ending up a pretty windy regatta, and a remarkable winner in the shape of Rafa Trujillo (ESP) after racing was abandoned on Thursday.
Craig began sailing at Manawatu Boating Club in a P Class in 1949. Since then, he has devoted a great deal of time to race management as both a race officer of a high standard and handicapper. In 1983 Craig developed Yacht Systems Race Management Programme which has been adopted by Yachting New Zealand and many clubs in New Zealand to help with handicaps and race results.
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have taken the overall lead as the 2015 49er and 49erFX World Championships hits the half way mark and fleets are split into gold and silver for finals racing.
The sailors are counting down the days to the start of the 2015 Finn Gold Cup in Takapuna, New Zealand. More and more Finns are covering the grass outside the Takapuna Boating Club in anticipation of a highly competitive week of racing. Around half the fleet of 90 or so Finns are currently taking part in the Pre-Worlds, the Auckland Championships, ahead of the first Gold Cup race next Tuesday. For Finn sailors, Takapuna is the place to be at the moment.
It has been 35 years since the Finn Gold Cup was last held in New Zealand waters. Back in 1980 it was also held at Takapuna Boating Club, the hosts for the 2015 edition. A lot has changed in 35 years but the enthusiasm and dedication of the Finn athletes has not, neither has the intense desire to win one of sailing’s most prestigious trophies.
