The Finn class has learned with shock and great sadness that our friend, Finn sailor and two-time Olympian Imre Taveter, from Estonia, has died suddenly at age 58.
After starting in the Optimist in 1976 at Kalev Yacht Club, in Tallinn, he won U18 Youth Championship of the Soviet Union in the Finn class in 1984 and in 1985. He won the European U21 Junior Championships title in the Finn in Çeşme, Turkey in 1987. Imre also won the Estonian Finn Championship nine times (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003). He was one of the most prominent Finn class sailors in Estonia.
He also competed in two Olympic Games in the Finn, placing 21st in 2000 in Sydney and 25th in Athens in 2004. In Athens he was offered an invitational place from the International Sailing Federation.
In addition to his sports career, Taveter made a significant contribution to the development of sailing as a coach and leader. He worked as a coach at both the Pärnu Yacht Club and the Kalevi Yacht Club, passing on his knowledge and experience to younger generations. His work was systematic, demanding and determined – values that have also characterized his own athletic path.
Imre was also a board member of the Estonian Finn Class Association from 1997 to 2010, contributing to the development and continuity of the class in Estonia.
After ending his professional sailing career Imre turned to coaching while also racing a Finn occasionally. In 2001 he also started as a co-founder and CEO a company Frontier Hockey OÜ producing sports equipment for ice hockey players.
The Finn Class sends its sincere condolences to Imre’s family and friends as well the Estonian sailing community. He will be much missed by his many Finn friends around the world.
RIP Imre
