Annual Master Meeting 2025 Medemblik
1. At 10.00am, The president welcomed the sailors to the meeting.
2. Approval of the last AMM minutes.
Approved by the sailors, no questions.
3. Masters Presidents report.
The President said that when he took over the position from the previous President, Fons Van Gent, the Finn Masters were seen in a different light. The focus was on the Gold Cup and Europeans, along with other Olympic qualifying events; the masters were seen as an offshoot, perhaps the lesser or underdog. The IFA gave a small budget to assist with the Masters events, a magazine was created and the popularity grew.
The Finn Class lost the Olympic place and the world changed. IFA lost its direction and we had to wait and see what would organically evolve, the President said the only saving grace was that the Masters were strong and that we knew our championship would continue regardless. He said that things have evolved, we are no longer seen as the offshoot to the class, he asked the sailors to try and see that we are no longer this offshoot to the class, and that we are the IFA class.
The President said that the Masters voice is strong, but we have a responsibility for it not to become all masters. IFA needs to support the under 29s and needs focus and support for the Finn Gold Cup. The President said that its clear to him that the Finn World Masters is not the Championship to determine the best of the best in the IFA, that is the job for the Gold Cup.
The President said that his role is to look after the interests of the Masters and protect the Finn World Masters events. To keep it in the spirit that has proved to be successful.
The President said that it is wonderful to have the large events of around 300 boats, but to remind ourselves that it comes with challenges, 4 fleet races along with the usual headaches, that lead to criticisms. He asked the sailors to just sit back a bit and remind ourselves what we are doing and what we are trying to do.
The President reported that he visited Villamoura and Tangier and personally felt that Tangier had all the ingredients to host a successful Finn World Masters.
He said that he was due to visit to hopeful venues, a new club on Lake Balaton, and a new venue off Naples on the Island of Ischia. He then complimented the ladies in Holland for organising a superb Ladies programme and thanked Liz Burrell for being our voice from the class.
4. Committee Elections
Phil Chadwick, Marc Allain Des Beauvais and Henk De Jäger stood down at the end of their terms, Bollo remained in place and the sailors approved the elections of Jan Zetzema and Franz Bürgi to the committee.
5. Rule changes. No rule changes proposed.
6. Magazine and Website The president informed the sailors that the Masters magazine was being absorbed by Finnfare to create a bumper edition for the future. He informed the sailors that the IFA was currently overhauling the website and the future would be a section for the Masters within this.
7. Candidates/ Bids received for 2027. There was one confirmed bid for 2027 (Tangier) which the president said would have to be voted on. The president gave a presentation on Tangier, exclaiming that it would be a great venue for the Finn Masters event. John Greenwood raised a question on whether we should risk going to a venue that could be a lean turnout of, having had the same the previous year in Brisbane, his concern was losing the momentum of the large fleet attendance. A vote was taken for Tangier and it was unanimous not to go in 2027. Martin Hughes then raised his hand and suggested that Tangier stand again in the future as it is a great opportunity for the Finn Class.
8. Brisbane update. The President of the IFA Rob Mcmillan gave an update on Brisbane.
9. Question AOB. It was suggested by Bollo that a statement of expenditure be shown at the meeting. The president said that the Masters accounts are integrated with the IFA accounts on Xero, however he felt a good way forward would be to show an overview of the previous year. The president presented an overview showing the fee income from two events in 2024, Masters worlds and joint Europeans. One off expenditure from reimbursement to Stuart Childerley. Merchandise expenditure. The budget showed a profit of €3817, with a bank balance of around £7500 around €8750. The president said that the funds were in a healthy position with the income due in from Medemblik and a huge success on Masters shirt sales at the event.
10. Date and time of the next meeting.
Wednesday 10 am, RQYC Brisbane 25th February 2026
Meeting Closed at 10.45 am
