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The location is fantastic. The Silver Cup racing area is delimited by the city front and the Marina Boulevard, Alcatraz facing the Golden Gate Bridge and the “sunny” side in the distance with Angel Island and Tiburron! The wind fills in regularly by noon from the ocean when the land heats up, and is announced by a low, gray mass of fog hiding the bridge! The temperature drops and the sailors with all their warm gear on are ready for another race!

The strong currents and patchy winds have made the sailors think hard to find the fastest route on this scenic course. With the current increasing, the race committee set a starboard course which was a “first” for most sailors and sometimes confusing. The smartest, fastest and sometimes luckiest sailors collected their dues. Today Ioannis Mitakis (GRE) was first across the finish line on race 5, taking his second victory of the event. “ The current is very confusing! I had trouble upwind but gained places on each run. I went further to the left behind the Alcatraz Island and it paid off!” Americans Caleb Paine and Luke Lawrence were second and third across the line.

The wind increased for the second race but was more irregular across the course with patches of pressure. Jorge Zarif rounded the top mark ahead of the packed fleet. Josip Olujic, third behind Caleb Paine took the left side of the run to take the lead from Zarif by a minute. With a triangle course, the last upwind was followed by two reaches. Olujic lost some ground trying to find the wing mark but finished race 6 in first place.
The Croatian's victory was soon shortened by a protest lodged by Paine for tacking too close to him before rounding the top mark on the first beat. With Josip Olujic disqualified, the race goes to Luke Lawrence (USA) who increases his lead to 6 points over Ioannis Mitakis (GRE) on equal points with Caleb Paine (USA). The Australian Oliver Tweddell continues with regular scores to place 4th overall.

Two races are scheduled for Monday.


For more information, contact Corinne Mckenzie: corinne.mckenzie@orange.fr
Results, videos and more pictures on: www.finngoldcup.com 

After two victories in the second day of racing, Miami sailor Luke Lawrence takes the lead of the Finn Silver Cup. Josip Olujic (CRO) conserves his second place while Australian sailor Oliver Tweddell gains two places to third overall.

Despite saying on the first day to prefer light conditions, Luke Lawrence mastered the increasing breeze and the current to win both races today. « I had a good start from the pin end and managed to have a clear path to the left of the course with more current to lift me to the top mark. I am not fast upwind but could keep good position on the course. » With 93 kgs (205 lb), Lawrence is one of the fleet lightest. The breeze increasing from 13 knots in the first race to 20 in the second provided for athletic sailing. « I was fast on the run but often just in control!! » Oliver Twiddell (AUS) and Jorge Zarif (BRA) finished in second and third place.

With increasing wind, the triangle course was set for the second race. Yesterday leader Caleb Paine (USA) rounded the top mark in top position after racing up the right side with Ioannis Mitakis (GRE). Coming from the left side Josip Olujic (CRO) rounded in third.
Luke Lawrence (USA) was not in good shape to win his second race after a bad start and in seventh place at the top mark. « My first beat was not good, I was undecided and stayed too long in the middle where the island of Alcatraz stopped the current from pushing me towards the top mark. I had to make a decision and pick a side! Fortunately, I was able to gain some grounds and a couple of places on the run. » Lawrence won the race in front of Josip Olujic and Ioannis Mitakis.

At the end of the second day, Olujic is only three points from the lead. « I have very regular results. Before coming, Bambi (Ivan Gaspic, European champion and world #1) told me that the key was to be consistent! » On the first race today I took a very good start but I got a penalty for rocking upwind and lost lots of places. I am fast downwind so I managed to pass a couple of boats on each run. Fourth is not bad for a race with a penalty! »

Regatta leader Luke Lawrence admitted that having John Bertrand's (USA) help was a real advantage. « John has sailed here all his life and knows the bay like the back of his hand! It does help me build my confidence when I make tactical choice on the water. He has a good perspective of my sailing and helps me go fast. We have worked together since May and already thanks to his help I was top three junior at the FINN European. » With Olympic selection in his mind, Lawrence knows that he has to keep working hard. “There are good Finn sailors in the US. Zach Railey of course, but also Brian Boyd and Caleb. Hopefully we will push each other to the top!”

Racing will continue on Sunday with races 5 and 6. The forecast is for building winds reaching 25 knots and stronger current which will provide for interesting racing.

For more information, contact Corinne Mckenzie: corinne.mckenzie@orange.fr
Free of right pictures with credit to: Chris Ray.
Results, videos and more pictures on: www.finngoldcup.com

With a second and a third, South Californian Caleb Paine takes a narrow lead in the first day of the Finn Silver Cup.

«It feels good to be leading but there is still plenty of sailing to do! » declared Paine, who keeps realistic even if his mind is set for the title. « There are many good guys here, the Greek, Ioannis Mitakis, or Jorge Zarif from Brazil. »

The European Junior champion and the current World champion are the obvious favourites for the title but newcomers like young German Lennart Luttkus, winner of the first race could also create the surprise.

« I will also have to account for Lennart or Josip from Croatia who have performed well today. » continues Paine.

Lennart Lutkus (GER) and Josip Olujic (CRO) had a close battle in the opening race. While the Croat conserved the lead for most of the race, Lutkus adsmart him on the run to win the first race of the championship and his first race in the Finn!

« I surely didn't expect to win the race! » explains Lutkus, « My objective was and still is to finish in the top 10. This race was fun because Josip and I were very close all the way. I took a different option on the last run to the finish. The current was strong and I stayed in the middle of the course while Josip went to the right. I passed him a 100 meters from the finish! »

With the wind increasing from 10 knots in the first race to 18 in the second, the triangle course was set with Oscar flag for free pumping. European Champion Ioannis Mitakis (GRE) who had suffered from two penalities for pumping in the first race could gear up in the second race.

« I took a bad start, I was worried to be pushed over the line by the current going upwind so I was too conservative and started from second row. I then figured out that the current would be stronger in the middle so I took that option to make up some ground. I met Jorg Zarif and went around the top mark with Jorg second and Caleb third. »

Mitakis conserved his lead to win the second race while Paine moved to second. Luke Lawrence (USA) moved up to third.
Caleb Paine (USA) will start the second day in the championship with a two points lead over Croat Josip Olujic and Luke Lawrence (USA) in third.

A nice westerly breeze is expected to bring again some exciting racing for two more races , Saturday in the second day of the Finn Silver Cup on San Francisco bay!

For more information, please contact Corinne Mckenzie: corinne.mckenzie@orange.fr

Sailing in the world renowned San Francisco Bay became reality for the Junior Finn sailors, competing today in the practice race for the Junior Finn World Championship or Jorg Bruder Silver Cup. Alcatraz provided a dramatic background for the starting line along with the Golden Gate Bridge alined with the top mark.

« This is the first time I race in the US and this is a very special spot. » declared defending champion Jorge Zarif from Brazil.

The small but talented fleet did the usual first beat in a freshening breeze and enjoyed the run before heading back straight to the club. Training in the bay with 15 to 20 knots everyday had already provided for a good fitness test for the juniors. « I love the wind, the stronger the better! » said, 16 years old, RJ Bay. The fleet youngest has jumped in a Finn six months ago and is trully enjoying the strong San Francisco conditions.

The competition will start Friday with two races with a total of nine scheduled. With only 15 boats the decision was taken not to have a medal race, however the last race on Tuesday will be non discardable.

The Opening ceremony took place on Wednesday evening at the San Francis Yacht Club, in presence of Commodore David Sneary, Regatta chair and ex- Finn sailor John Callahan, as well as Consuls of some represented countries including Australia and Poland … Their presence stressed even further the international scope of the Silver Cup with ten countries and four continents represented.

For further details please contact Corinne McKenzie: corinne.mckenzie@orange.fr

For the next three weeks San Francisco Bay will be the centre of the Finn world. On 27 August the Finn Gold Cup will start but this Friday, 20 August, the Finn Silver Cup for the Jorg Bruder Cup – the Junior World Championship – will get underway.

For many years the Junior Worlds was held as part of the Finn Gold Cup but increasing numbers of Juniors in Europe forced the event to be held independently and for the last few years has attracted in excess of 50 boats. This year it will be sailed out of St Francis Yacht Club, USA with sailors from 10 countries competing for the Jorg Bruder Cup, which was first presented in 2004 by the Brazilian Olympic Committee in memory of the popular, three time Gold Cup winner.

The defending champion is in fact also Brazilian. Young Jorge Zarif (BRA) won a close fought series last year on Lake Balaton in Hungary, and though he hasn’t had as much international experience this year as some of his main rivals, is expected to be a firm favourite.

Perhaps the main favourite is the twice crowned Junior European Champion Ioannis Mitakis (GRE), who not only retained his Junior European title in Split this year but also presented himself very well in the senior fleet, finishing 12th overall.

The home fleet is also putting on a strong challenge with both Luke Lawrence (USA) and Caleb Paine (USA) competing. This pair won the silver and bronze medals in the Juniors at Split and are improving all the time. Lawrence is coached by former Finn crack John Bertrand (USA) and it will be interesting to see how much he has progressed since May.

Other competition is likely to come from Egor Terpigorev (RUS), Egor Larionov (RUS), Josip Olujic (CRO) and Lennart Luttkus (GER).

Racing commences on Friday 20 August with nine races scheduled. The medal race for top ten is scheduled for Tuesday 24 August and all races for the Silver Cup are being held from St Francis Yacht Club, before the fleet moves across the bay to Richmond for the Gold Cup, so the boats are closer to the Berkeley Circle, where the world championship racing will be held.



Media

All reports, clips and photos can be found at the event website at www.finngoldcup.com

To keep updated on happenings in San Francisco, sign up for the Finn class newsletter at www.finnclass.org

For more information on photos or low res footage please contact Corinne McKenzie on corinne.mckenzie@orange.fr

[Download as a PDF]
Dear Finn Gold & Silver Cup Competitors,

On behalf of the members, officers, and directors of the St. Francis Yacht Club, it is my pleasure to invite you to the 2010 Finn Gold and Silver Cup World Championships. The Finn Silver Cup will take place August 17-24 and the Finn Gold Cup will be held August 27-September 4, 2010 -- when optimal weather and wind conditions on San Francisco Bay prevail. We are looking forward to hosting a memorable event with exciting competition in one of the world¹s premiere racing venues.

The St. Francis Yacht Club members are excited to welcome you to the City of San Francisco, the Bay and our Club. We are honored to host the 2010 Finn Silver & Gold Cup World Championships - and the StFYC Organizing Committee has been working diligently to insure that this event will be one of the best ever.

We have assembled a premier race management team to guarantee excellent sailing and we believe our onshore crew will make your stay easy, pleasant and above all Enjoyable.

With the help of the generous donors and the Presenting Sponsor American President Lines, we expect to provide:

- Inexpensive transportation of your boats and equipment
- A true Destination Event, for you as competitors and your families
- Great, exciting racing on one of the premier racing waters in the world. (Just ask the participants of the recent 29er, 470, 505 or Star Worlds Championship.)

The StFYC organizes over 40 race days every year for all types of competition -- from dinghies to IRC Big Boats, from AC yachts to Optimists, from Team races to Match races, from collegiate championships to World events. We have a terrific membership, a superbly trained and managed Race Committee Organization, an amazingly reliable sea breeze -- all of the components that will add up to an outstanding event.

Make your plans early, bring your families and be ready for some good times. On behalf of the members of St. Francis Yacht Club, we welcome you.


Sincerely,

David Sneary, Commodore St. Francis Yacht Club
John Callahan, Regatta Chairman 2010 Finn Silver & Gold Cup World Championships