Release:04.02.2010  

Finn Masters

The Finn

The Finn was designed in 1949 by the Swede Rickard Sarby and was selected as the single-handed heavyweight
dinghy for the Olympic Games in 1952 held at Helsinki. Ever since the Finn was present at the Games and will also
sail at Beijing in 2009.

Read the article "Where is all started" at http://www.finnjolle.se/docs/237.pdf

   
       1962 - Barcelona                        1964 - London                         1964 - London                        1980 - Moscow   

                                                       Stamps issued to commemorate the Olympic Games.
 

But the Finn is so much more than just the Olympics. The boat has spectacular sailing characteristics challenging the sailor. Sailing the Finn goes hand-in-hand with developing strength of character, perseverance, tenacity and the challenge of doing something difficult really well. To many, the Finn is the perfect embodiment of the Olympic ideal, wherever it is sailed, and perhaps this is the ultimate attraction of a dinghy that has thrived for half a century
as a leading class on the world yachting scene.

1949 - 2009

- Photo FINNish - An illustrated book about "60 Years of Finn Sailing"             

- A photo page on 60 years of Finn development.

                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  For ordering information: click on picture

Finn Masters                                                                                                         

The Finn sailors are divided into age groups: Junior: below 20 year, Senior: 20-39 year, Master: 40-49 year,
Grand Master: 50-59 year, Grand Grand Master: 60-69 years and Legend: 70 year and above. See Note.

Note: If, in a specific year, you reach(ed) the age as listed, the accompanying title is applicable from January 1 to December 31 of that year.

World Championship Finn Master

Each year the Masters, the Grand Masters, the Grand Grand Masters and the Legends sail a separate World Championship called the Finn Masters. An event with a large number of participants and sailed according to the tradition at outstanding locations in Europe, e.g. Bracciano (Italy), Cannes and Split (Croatia). In 2007, the event has been sailed on the Mediterranean Sea at Murcia (Spain).

In May 2008 the Finn Masters 2008 was held at Medemblik, with 229 Finn sailors from 26 countries! And, recently, the Masters 2009 was held at Maubuisson, France with 261 sailors! In 2010 the Croatian city of Split and in 2011 the Italian city of Punta Ala will host the Championship.

                            Finn Masters 2008                                                                      Finn Masters 2008

Also existing are the large local groups of Finn sailors, which are actively involved in national or club level regattas.
Ages vary between 18 and 65 years, but in the Finn Legends some sailors are above 80 years!

Binding factor characterising for these Finn sailors is that all have a sport-loving, collegial and institution based on friendship and respect.

Finn History

(Copied from the IFA website)

JANUARY 1949 - The Finnish Yachting Association organizes a design competition for the single-handed dinghy to
                                 be used in the Olympic Games at Helsinki in 1952. Rickard SARBY not only produces the full-size
                                 drawings of what will become the FINN, but also builds the first prototype.

                                                                                Richard Sarby in his first Finn

MAY 1949 - First FINN is launched.

JUNE 1949 - The result of the design competition is that the FINN is not selected. Examples of the best designs
                         are built.

SEPTEMBER 1949 - Trial races are held in FINLAND in light winds. The FINN is also invited. The FINN and Pricken
                                       are the fastest.

OCTOBER 1949 - Further trials are announced for MAY 1950. The FINN becomes popular in Sweden; twenty-five
                                  boats are built. The two-wave emblem is chosen and the leech of the sail is shortened by 150 mm
                                  to lift the boom.

MAY 1950 - New trials in heavy weather. The FINN wins five races and comes in second in the sixth.

1952 - Helsinki, Finland - the FINN Class is first used in the Olympic Games.

1956 - The FINN GOLD CUP is presented to the Class by the late F. G. MITCHELL, esq., of England.
            The INTERNATIONAL FINN ASSOCIATION is founded.

1959 - Synthetic cloth is authorized for making sails.

1961 - The USA magazine "FINNFARE" develops into the official organ of the IFA. Reinforced polyester is authorized
             for building hulls.

1964 - The FINN Class develops a precise method of controlling hulls worldwide.

1969 - Aluminium alloy and reinforced polyester are authorized for building spars.

1973 - The FINN Class adopts the Lamboley pendulum test to control the distribution of weight of hulls.

1974 - Building materials for hulls are set free. The double bottom is accepted. A minimum weight is fixed for booms
            and rudders.

1984 - Any flexible material is authorized for making sails. A standard jig for the definition of station points is required
            for world and continental championships. The first FINN clinic is held for sailors from developing nations, as part
            of a long-term development programme of the class.

1986 - Publication of FINNLOG 1. This book contains both the history of the Class and many technical articles written by
            experts.

1993 - Carbon fibre is authorized for building spars.

1994 - The mast weight is reduced to 8 kg.

1995 - The first wing mast appears and is used to win the FINN GOLD CUP in Melbourne, Australia.

1996 - The hull weight is reduced by 5 kg to 120 kg.

1998 - The 100th edition of FINNFARE is published.

1998 - Reinforced plastic sails come into widespread use.

1999 - Publication of FINNatics - The History and Techniques of Finn Sailing, to celebrate 50 years of the FINN.

2000 - For the first time ever, competitors at the Olympics are allowed to bring their own FINNS.

2002 - IFA becomes incorporated.

2005 - Complete rewrite and standardisation of the Class Rules.

2009 - 60th Anniversary of the FINN.

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