Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

New Year Message from the Finn Class President

by Dr. Balazs Hajdu 31 Dec 2016 07:43 PST 31 December 2016

The year 2016 has been filled with plenty of Finn action, including the Rio Olympics with the Finns producing some of the best Olympic sailing action on the ocean in front of Copacabana beach in strong winds and huge waves. The physicality of Finn sailing was shown to the world of sailing spectators and the overall quality and durability of the Finn equipment allowed this to happen.

Rio has showed again that the format of Olympic sailing and the way our sport is broadcast to the public are the key factors if the sport wants to increase viewers and general awareness in the mass media. So in the near future these are the areas our Association is going to further explore.

In the footsteps of our sailing heroes, new Finn champions were born in the course of the last Olympic quadrennium and the show will go on in the years leading up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The class will continue the focused work on attracting as many young sailors to the Finn as possible whilst ensuring the strong geographical presence of the class around the globe. Rio evidenced that with a concentrated and well-structured approach relatively new Finn nations can produce surprisingly good results even at the highest level. This will give new countries and sailors the necessary motivation to join the game and IFA will do its best to secure the necessary support from the background.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank the IFA Executive and National class officials as well as all Finn friends around the world for their work, support and dedication over the last years and wish all of you a Happy New Year.

Warm regards

Dr. Balazs Hajdu
HUN-1
IFA President

Related Articles

Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik overall
'Incredible' Finn World Masters closes after epic week Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, has won his second Finn World Masters title as the 2025 Finn World Masters drew to a close in Medemblik on Friday, after having won the title on Thursday with a day to spare. Posted on 20 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik day 4
Pieter-Jan Postma wins after bizarre penultimate day The penultimate day of the Finn World Masters in Medemblik threw a curveball at the fleet with very light and tricky winds, some high scores, complex racing, protests and unfinished races. Posted on 20 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik day 3
Pieter-Jan Postma continues to lead after 5 races Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, continues to dominate the Finn World Masters in Medemblik, The Netherlands, after a fifth race was sailed on Wednesday in a north-westerly breeze building from 8-12 knots during the afternoon. Posted on 18 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 2
Pieter-Jan Postma leads after the second day of racing in The Netherlands Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, is leading the fleet of 307 Finns from 27 countries after everyone sailed two more races at the 2025 Finn World Masters in Medemblik. France's Laurent Hay is second with Germany's Fabian Lemmel in third. Posted on 17 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 1
Eight races over two course areas in four groups with four different winners Racing at the 2025 Finn World Masters began in Medemblik, The Netherlands, on Monday with eight races over two course areas in four groups. Posted on 16 Jun
Finn World Masters opens in Medemblik
A bumper entry of 307 helms in The Netherlands The 2025 Finn World Masters has been opened in Medemblik, The Netherlands, on Sunday evening. It is the third time the Dutch Finn class has endeavoured to run the Finn World Masters, with two previous attempts cancelled by the pandemic. Posted on 15 Jun
Finn Southern Area Championship at Christchurch
With the Oscar flag flying to signify free pumping Christchurch Sailing Club welcomed 19 Finn sailors to the Finn Southern Area Championships held over a very sunny and windy weekend 31 May/1 June 2025. The event was shared with the Hadron H2 Class who also appeared to thoroughly enjoy the event. Posted on 3 Jun
Singlehanded Regatta at Hayling Island
Finns, Europes and Solos don't let the forecast put them off a glorious weekend Day one Charlie Bradshaw held the fleets on shore for an hour on Saturday morning, a fair amount of hope but an early strong easterly can have a detrimental effect on a sea breeze here so there was certainly a little trepidation in the fleet. Posted on 26 May
Enter now for Chichester Harbour Race Week
Last year nearly 600 competitors in 383 boats attended Book your place at the biggest dinghy and keelboat regatta in the UK! With the website open, you can now reserve your place in this year's 'must attend' event. Starting on Monday 11th August, ending on 15th. Posted on 24 May
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERMaritimo M75