 |
2. Report from the President
|
On the verge of the new millennium, the International Finn Association has a special reason to look back at its past. Indeed, 1999 marks the 50th birthday of the FINN. This book, which was written for this occasion, will take us through the history of our class, with its driving forces and heroes, discovering the many developments the Finn has gone through along the way. |
When Rickard Sarby designed the Finn 50 years ago as the men's single-handed dinghy for the 1952 Olympic Regatta in Helsinki, he certainly would not have expected it to have been selected for 13 consecutive Olympic Regattas. Indeed, the wooden hull with spruce mast and cotton sails of the time seem a long way away from glass reinforced plastic hulls, carbon fibre masts and laminated sails that are in use today. Still, there is something unique about the original design, which may be the key to the Finn's long lasting success: it was designed as a very robust, relatively slow, fast tacking, physically demanding and very technical boat.Although the boat has gone through tremendous changes, these 'design elements' have always remained intact. |
|
|
They have made the Finn the choice for close tactical racing, with small speed differences to be obtained by the many trimming options and physical fitness. Its inherent robustness has contributed to its longevity, making it cheap to sail and thus accessible to developing sailing nations. |
 |
The Finn class is not just about the Finn. It is about providing sailors with the best possible racing within a bracket of commonly accepted parameters. The resulting 'tool', which the sailors have cared to develop over the years to best suit those parameters, is what we have always called the 'Finn'. Under the watchful eye of our Technical Committee, the sailors have carefully managed the technological change in such a way that 'evolution' never led to 'revolution'. More importantly they have ensured that the boat never became outdated. These changes, however, have always been in the spirit of what the Finn was originally designed to be, in disregard of certain commercially or politically attractive changes. |
|
The Class can pride itself on an ever expanding base. In the different countries National Finn Associations set up their own Class associations to develop Finn sailing. From those sailors, the best are selected for Junior, Senior and Master's Continental and World Championships, Regional and Olympic Games. We rely on the National Finn Associations to keep supporting our class in their country and to recruit new Finn sailors.
The Finn class is about its sailors. Whether they sailed fifty years ago or are still active, they all share the unique experience of having mastered the Finn. Another privilege that Finn sailors enjoy is the lifetime friendships formed between their peers from all countries, at all levels. In a class that consists of a minority with Olympic ambitions, and a large base of Finn aficionados, it's this camaraderie amongst sailors at all levels that past and current Finn sailors will most remember. |
 |
The Finn is currently raced by sailors from 17 until over 60 years old. Both our Junior championships and Master championships are more than just 'one-off events. They both represent part of our active sailing fleets which deserve separate recognition. Our 1996 Olympic Champion was still a Junior at 21. His predecessor was 36. With close to 200 Finns (Seniors and Masters), the 1996 Gold Cup in La Rochelle was a fantastic event. 'Old meets new' was more than a convenient gathering of Finn sailors. Both fleets were seriously impressed with each other's performance and new friendships were forged. The success of this event will spur us to put on similar 'joint world championships' in the future including the latest addition of a Junior world title. |
|
Fifty years on from the first ever Finn, the class prides itself on the achievements of some of its sailors, both in and outside sailing. Some of the most prominent sports and business leaders have sailed the Finn. Others hold the record for most participations in the Olympics, all sports combined, have won Whitbread Round the World Races, the America's Cup or Olympic medals in other classes. With the help of its development program, over the years, the Class has allowed many sailors from developing sailing nations to successfully compete on a world level, winning world titles and Olympic medals along the way. Perhaps even more important is the camaraderie and great racing in the Class that all have enjoyed, truly all over the world.
Whilst we celebrate the last fifty years, we also look forward to the next fifty. The goals and ambitions have not changed from those envisaged by Rickard Sarby.
The International Finn Association will continue working to ensure that Finn sailing continues to expand and develop and serve the sport of sailing into the new millennium. We believe its sailors are a 'special breed' andthat the Finn dinghy continues to offer the best challenge in single-handed sailing.
None of this success would have been possible without the tireless commitment of rule makers, technical experts, builders, sailors, judges, past and present International and National Finn Association's Officers - all of whom have worked (voluntarily and for the love of their sport) to allow Finn sailors over the last 50 years to enjoy sailing at its finest ... in the Finn Dinghy.
What better way to sum up than to quote some of our past and present Finn sailors . . .
Valentin Mankin (USSR), Finn Olympic Gold Medalist 1968, "The years between 1956 and 1970, when I was sailing the Finn, were the best and most unforgettable of my life. The Olympics are great to win, but that is not the main thing. Finn sailing has helped me in all aspects of life - through university and career. The experience has given me extra power, and led to racing success in three other boats. Thank you Finn!"
|
Jacques Rogge (Belgium), IFA Past President and Executive Board member of the IOC: "The unique spirit of the Finn class transcends generations. Finn sailors know what it takes to master this magnificent boat, being the most physical and tactical in the world. This bonds them together."
Peter Holmberg (Virgin Islands), Finn Olympic Silver Medalist 1988: "My relationship with the Finn started by digging an old boat from the weeds behind our club and ordering ten issues of FinnFare! I credit the Finn as the best class available, offering an individual a true platform to learn and compete in at the highest level. The knowledge and work ethics gained from my years of Finn sailing have benefited me in all aspects of sailing throughout my career."
|
|
|
Mateusz Kusznierewicz (Poland), Finn Olympic Gold Medalist 1996: "When I discovered International sailing all I dreamed about was staying with Finn fleet for as long as possible: to travel and compete wherever they go. When I was young Firm sailors were the best examples to follow: ideals of sportsmen and people of success."
John Bertrand (Australia), Finn Olympic Bronze Medalist 1976 and America's Cup Winner 1983: "The Finn Class is unique. I learnt about winning and losing against the world's best. I established life long friends around the world as I learnt how tough physically and mentally a sailboat could be. I learnt the finest details of tuning and balance, the painful difference between fast and slow. Of all the boats that I have raced, from Sabots to the America's Cup and all the classes in between, for me the tough little Finn is the most sacred of them all. This class is a classic."
Paul Henderson (Canada), ISAF President: "When asked what boat you sail it is sufficient to say 'Finn' to prove excellence."
|
|
