Release:
August 5, 2009
REPORT OF FONS’ VISIT TO SPLIT JULY 2009
On July 14 and 15 I visited the Labud Sailing Club in Split (Croatia) for the preparations of the Finn World Master’s Championship in 2010. We sailed our Finn World Masters there already in 2002. We discussed the latest version of the Guidelines and we had agreements on almost all points. In the end we came to the accommodation part and there the Labud Sailing Club is not sure that they will get permission to use the public parking place and small park for the campers, tents, trailers and cars. I indicated that it is very important that campers are placed close to the club, because camper owners have no other transportation to go to and from the club.
In 2002 there were two good hotels with good rates close to
the club, hotel Jadran and hotel Marjan. Hotel Marjan is being rebuilt and
nobody can assure that it will be reopened in time.
After I returned home, I discovered that hotel Jadran is already fully
booked for another event during the weekend when our Championship starts, so
we cannot use it.
Hotel Marjan will become a 5 star hotel as part of the Hilton chain and the
rate for a double room will be € 260,= per night. That is for sure not what
we are looking for! Even with a special discount for our Championship it
will be too expensive for most of us.
The Labud Sailing Club told me that you have to pay for a hotel on a top
location, but I told them that we expected about the same as we had in 2002
when we voted for Split in 2007 and now things have changed a lot.
There are hotels with acceptable rates in Podstrana, but that is 30 km from
the club. I am not sure that all sailors will be happy with that and I think
this will affect the social part of our Finn World Masters.
At this moment we are, within the FWM Committee, discussing what to do. I
informed the Labud Sailing Club about my worries.
I herewith advise all Finn Masters to regularly visit www.finnworldmaster.com for the latest news. This website contains a lot of information and news and it will keep you all informed about what happens around the Finn World Masters for the coming years. Don’t miss anything!
Kind regards and good winds for all of you.
Fons van Gent,
Vice President Master's Fleet
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