1 |
Fredrik Lööf |
SWE 7 |
(14) |
5 |
(14) |
4 |
4 |
11 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
38 |
2 |
Mateusz Kusznierewicz |
POL 17 |
8 |
(13) |
3 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
(72) |
39 |
3 |
Richard Clarke |
CAN 11 |
(30) |
(28) |
10 |
9 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
15 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
63 |
4 |
Iain Percy |
GBR 54 |
(19) |
10 |
1 |
5 |
19 |
1 |
4 |
13 |
1 |
15 |
(72) |
69 |
5 |
Karlo Kuret |
CRO 11 |
5 |
3 |
11 |
(72) |
6 |
5 |
8 |
12 |
(27) |
13 |
9 |
72 |
6 |
Sebastien Godefroid |
BEL 7 |
11 |
(15) |
8 |
(15) |
3 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
11 |
5 |
10 |
72 |
7 |
Michael Fellmann |
GER 79 |
(32) |
21 |
2 |
1 |
(37) |
25 |
1 |
2 |
20 |
1 |
22 |
95 |
8 |
Martijn Van Muyden |
NED 701 |
3 |
9 |
17 |
(72) |
1 |
12 |
(22) |
19 |
10 |
19 |
12 |
102 |
9 |
Xavier Rohart |
FRA 1 |
13 |
24 |
5 |
2 |
13 |
7 |
(72) |
4 |
34 |
(72) |
8 |
110 |
10 |
Michael Maier |
CZE 304 |
(36) |
(30) |
4 |
11 |
26 |
9 |
7 |
20 |
8 |
10 |
15 |
110 |
11 |
Ian Ainslie |
RSA 1 |
22 |
6 |
(35) |
8 |
8 |
17 |
11 |
16 |
19 |
7 |
(60) |
114 |
12 |
Dave Mellor |
GBR 540 |
24 |
(32) |
9 |
12 |
17 |
13 |
3 |
(72) |
7 |
6 |
26 |
117 |
13 |
John Driscoll |
IRL 1 |
15 |
(41) |
7 |
14 |
9 |
29 |
(72) |
3 |
12 |
12 |
31 |
132 |
14 |
Andreas Buchert |
GER 6 |
7 |
4 |
20 |
25 |
(34) |
10 |
14 |
(34) |
24 |
25 |
4 |
133 |
15 |
Nenad Viali |
ITA 14 |
2 |
34 |
(37) |
16 |
16 |
26 |
10 |
10 |
(36) |
26 |
7 |
147 |
16 |
Paul McKenzie |
AUS 222 |
16 |
36 |
12 |
7 |
10 |
14 |
16 |
8 |
32 |
(72) |
(37) |
151 |
17 |
Ian Baker |
NZL 242 |
(62) |
(39) |
21 |
17 |
22 |
19 |
13 |
6 |
6 |
21 |
27 |
152 |
18 |
Philippe Rogge |
BEL 2 |
18 |
18 |
22 |
20 |
12 |
28 |
(30) |
21 |
14 |
(31) |
18 |
171 |
19 |
Peter Theurer |
SUI 464 |
21 |
23 |
31 |
3 |
(36) |
21 |
25 |
(35) |
18 |
17 |
13 |
172 |
20 |
Dominik Zycki |
POL 4 |
12 |
11 |
(43) |
26 |
2 |
2 |
34 |
29 |
23 |
35 |
(55) |
174 |
21 |
Anthony Nossiter |
AUS 221 |
17 |
27 |
(72) |
21 |
21 |
24 |
19 |
9 |
(46) |
20 |
20 |
178 |
22 |
Juri Tokovoi |
UKR 21 |
(54) |
(51) |
18 |
13 |
29 |
16 |
31 |
23 |
29 |
9 |
11 |
179 |
23 |
Jamie Lea |
GBR 564 |
6 |
(72) |
19 |
42 |
30 |
(43) |
36 |
22 |
5 |
18 |
5 |
183 |
24 |
Bartul Misura |
CRO 1 |
1 |
20 |
32 |
22 |
18 |
(37) |
17 |
28 |
15 |
33 |
(56) |
186 |
25 |
Emilios Papathanasiou |
GRE 6 |
25 |
12 |
23 |
36 |
(72) |
6 |
12 |
11 |
39 |
37 |
(54) |
201 |
26 |
Darrell Peck |
USA 1151 |
31 |
38 |
6 |
(72) |
14 |
40 |
21 |
14 |
26 |
11 |
(59) |
201 |
27 |
Richard Stenhouse |
GBR 550 |
10 |
(72) |
16 |
23 |
15 |
32 |
(72) |
33 |
17 |
29 |
28 |
203 |
28 |
Mark Bulka |
AUS 220 |
20 |
(68) |
27 |
37 |
11 |
22 |
18 |
24 |
21 |
(38) |
23 |
203 |
29 |
Leith Armit |
NZL 241 |
(48) |
2 |
33 |
40 |
31 |
15 |
15 |
17 |
(42) |
30 |
32 |
215 |
30 |
David Burrows |
IRL 8 |
29 |
(46) |
26 |
18 |
(40) |
30 |
26 |
27 |
30 |
27 |
2 |
215 |
31 |
Javier Aguado |
ESP 1 |
4 |
1 |
(49) |
33 |
(49) |
33 |
20 |
26 |
38 |
28 |
33 |
216 |
32 |
Finn Taylor |
AUS 219 |
52 |
16 |
34 |
24 |
35 |
(72) |
(72) |
43 |
16 |
8 |
1 |
229 |
33 |
Massimo Gherarducci |
ITA 71 |
(60) |
8 |
24 |
28 |
(56) |
20 |
23 |
25 |
40 |
24 |
45 |
237 |
34 |
Stuart Bannatyne |
NZL 19 |
(58) |
35 |
72 |
29 |
43 |
34 |
29 |
31 |
9 |
22 |
14 |
246 |
35 |
Carl Schmidt |
AUS 223 |
38 |
55 |
29 |
10 |
24 |
39 |
(72) |
18 |
(72) |
14 |
19 |
246 |
36 |
Oleg Khoperski |
RUS 10 |
(51) |
47 |
15 |
27 |
50 |
31 |
24 |
(72) |
13 |
23 |
29 |
259 |
37 |
Michael Hruby |
CZE 479 |
27 |
7 |
(46) |
19 |
38 |
38 |
28 |
41 |
31 |
(45) |
42 |
271 |
38 |
Charlie Cumbley |
GBR 15 |
9 |
40 |
36 |
38 |
23 |
(53) |
39 |
(72) |
28 |
41 |
17 |
271 |
39 |
George Kontogouris |
GRE 1 |
26 |
19 |
39 |
41 |
25 |
(44) |
32 |
32 |
(43) |
32 |
30 |
276 |
40 |
Michael Deyett |
USA 1146 |
(53) |
33 |
52 |
(72) |
20 |
36 |
40 |
39 |
35 |
46 |
16 |
317 |
41 |
Christoph Burger |
SUI 451 |
47 |
(56) |
28 |
34 |
32 |
23 |
27 |
38 |
(59) |
44 |
46 |
319 |
42 |
Marc Blees |
NED 707 |
46 |
22 |
(51) |
43 |
27 |
18 |
45 |
(72) |
25 |
50 |
48 |
324 |
43 |
Mike Milner |
CAN 4 |
44 |
(58) |
50 |
24 |
41 |
42 |
35 |
37 |
22 |
40 |
(63) |
335 |
44 |
Clifton Webb |
NZL 27 |
28 |
44 |
25 |
31 |
28 |
35 |
41 |
(72) |
37 |
(72) |
72 |
341 |
45 |
Lasse Hjortnäs |
DEN 143 |
34 |
29 |
42 |
46 |
72 |
45 |
46 |
36 |
(56) |
49 |
25 |
352 |
46 |
Bruno Prada |
BRA 1 |
(66) |
43 |
38 |
35 |
47 |
48 |
33 |
(72) |
51 |
34 |
24 |
353 |
47 |
Tyler Bjorn |
CAN 1107 |
35 |
42 |
41 |
(72) |
39 |
49 |
37 |
(72) |
58 |
43 |
21 |
365 |
48 |
Mario Salani |
ITA 11 |
72 |
67 |
45 |
32 |
53 |
(72) |
38 |
30 |
52 |
16 |
34 |
367 |
49 |
Walter Riosa |
ITA 55 |
42 |
31 |
40 |
39 |
44 |
41 |
43 |
(72) |
(55) |
47 |
49 |
376 |
50 |
John Callahan |
USA 1140 |
39 |
(57) |
48 |
45 |
(52) |
51 |
44 |
40 |
33 |
39 |
38 |
377 |
51 |
Michele Marchesini |
ITA 15 |
40 |
(62) |
44 |
30 |
59 |
46 |
(72) |
46 |
48 |
48 |
44 |
405 |
52 |
Scott Griffiths |
USA 1138 |
(64) |
(63) |
53 |
47 |
33 |
50 |
50 |
44 |
49 |
51 |
39 |
416 |
53 |
Daniel Bush |
NZL 12 |
23 |
52 |
47 |
50 |
55 |
(58) |
48 |
(72) |
50 |
54 |
40 |
419 |
54 |
Russell Ward |
GBR 4 |
49 |
25 |
(72) |
(72) |
45 |
52 |
51 |
72 |
47 |
56 |
35 |
432 |
55 |
Akif Muslubas |
TUR 44 |
(63) |
49 |
54 |
44 |
48 |
(56) |
47 |
42 |
54 |
42 |
52 |
432 |
56 |
Colin Chapman |
IRL 10 |
43 |
14 |
30 |
(72) |
42 |
27 |
(72) |
72 |
72 |
72 |
72 |
444 |
57 |
David Beyers |
USA 1150 |
61 |
17 |
58 |
53 |
51 |
(62) |
53 |
(72) |
60 |
59 |
41 |
453 |
58 |
Mauricio Bueno |
BRA 100 |
33 |
60 |
55 |
51 |
61 |
(65) |
(72) |
48 |
63 |
52 |
36 |
459 |
59 |
Hong Quan Li |
CHN 1 |
59 |
37 |
56 |
48 |
(64) |
47 |
52 |
(72) |
57 |
60 |
43 |
459 |
60 |
Chic Parsons |
USA 1149 |
57 |
61 |
(72) |
(72) |
46 |
54 |
42 |
72 |
41 |
36 |
58 |
467 |
61 |
Ben Beer |
ISV 13 |
37 |
48 |
(61) |
54 |
57 |
60 |
58 |
47 |
61 |
(63) |
50 |
472 |
62 |
Vladimir Zuev |
BLR 17 |
65 |
50 |
(72) |
(72) |
58 |
57 |
49 |
45 |
44 |
53 |
64 |
485 |
63 |
Mo Hart |
USA 1161 |
(72) |
45 |
59 |
(72) |
54 |
55 |
72 |
72 |
45 |
55 |
47 |
504 |
64 |
Hugh Dimock |
NZL 245 |
45 |
53 |
63 |
55 |
60 |
61 |
56 |
(72) |
(72) |
64 |
57 |
514 |
65 |
Luca Devoti |
ITA 1 |
50 |
26 |
13 |
(72) |
(72) |
72 |
72 |
72 |
72 |
72 |
72 |
521 |
66 |
Patrick Meehan |
AUS 165 |
(69) |
66 |
62 |
49 |
65 |
64 |
54 |
(72) |
53 |
58 |
53 |
524 |
67 |
August Miller |
USA 1087 |
56 |
59 |
60 |
56 |
(67) |
66 |
57 |
(72) |
64 |
61 |
51 |
530 |
68 |
Jake Gunther |
AUS 213 |
67 |
64 |
57 |
52 |
63 |
59 |
55 |
(72) |
62 |
57 |
(72) |
536 |
69 |
Takuya Maeda |
JPN 24 |
55 |
54 |
(72) |
57 |
66 |
67 |
60 |
(72) |
65 |
65 |
61 |
550 |
70 |
John Shallvey |
AUS 224 |
68 |
65 |
(72) |
(72) |
62 |
63 |
59 |
49 |
66 |
62 |
62 |
556 |
71 |
Graeme Taylor |
AUS 225 |
41 |
69 |
(72) |
(72) |
72 |
72 |
72 |
72 |
72 |
72 |
72 |
614 |
1999 Finn Gold Cup report
The 1999 Finn Gold Cup was held at Sandringham Yacht Club, Melbourne from 10-15 January. A range of conditions and the new format of 11 races tested the competitors to the limit. Defending Champion Mateusz Kusznierewicz was leading overall until the final race when Fredrik Lööf won his third Gold Cup. Sarah Kingston Reports.
As part of the 1999 Combined Olympic Classes World Championship, the 1999 Finn Gold Cup was held in Melbourne. The Finns were based at the Sandringham Yacht Club together with the International 14s - other Olympic Classes were spread around other yacht clubs around Port Philip Bay. The Finn Class was delighted to return to Melbourne - in 1995 the Gold Cup was held at the Black Rock Yacht Club, and in 1956 the Finns sailed here in the Olympic regatta.
A very strong fleet of 71 Finn sailors from 28 countries competed for the 1999 Finn Gold Cup. It was particularly pleasing to see China, Japan, Belarus and the US Virgin Islands represented this year.
The 1998 AGM had agreed to change the format and courses for this year. 11 races over 6 days were sailed and in winds lighter than 12 knots the Olympic trapezoid course would be used whilst in stronger winds the traditional Finn Gold Cup course (triangle) would be used.
Day 1
The fleet was tested under light and flukey winds for their first two races, resulting in a frustrating day for many, but some new faces at the top of the scoreboard. The Spaniard Javier Aguado performed the most consistently with a 4th in the first race and a 1st in Race 2. Bartul Misura won Race 1, just ahead of Nenad Viali and Martijn van Muyden. Richard Stenhouse had led throughout the second race, however much to his disappointment was judged to have been OCS at the start.
Day 2
With an increased wind, more familiar names were at the top of the results sheet. Michael Fellmann scored a 2nd and a 1st; Iain Percy scored a 1st and a 5th; Xavier Rohart scored a 5th and a 2nd.
Day 3
The conditions for day 3 were a complete contrast to the previous day’s high seas and 25 knot winds. A trapezoid course was set for both races under grey overcast skies, flat seas and 7-8 knots of wind. After a general recall and then a start under a black flag, race 5 began with Martijn Van Muyden and Sebastien Godefroid vying for first place around most of the marks. The Dutchman gained a clear 3 boat length lead at the finish. Dominik Zycki made a last minute bid for the finish and beat Sebastien on the line to clinch second place.
Iain Percy led throughout race 6 which started under a black flag, in 10-12 knots of wind. Although Finn Taylor reached the windward mark first, he was swiftly sent home by the Race Committee, having been judged as OCS at the start. The two Polish sailors, Dominik Zycki and Mateusz Kusznierewicz, finished 2nd and 3rd. Percy commented ashore: “In the first race the shifting winds were difficult. I was unlucky in the first and got lucky in the second. This is my first year racing Finns full time and I’d be over the moon if I finished in the top five.”
Day 4
Both races were completed in strong winds gusting to 28 knots. Michael Fellmann again showed his supremacy in strong winds by winning race 7 and finishing second in race 8. Mateusz scored a 2nd and a 5th and increased his points score over the rest of the fleet. Fredrik Lööf scored 5th and 1st and knocked Karlo Kuret out of second position. On the other hand, Martijn Van Muyden did not performed quite so well on the windy days and he dropped to 8th place overall. Australian Paul McKenzie had a good day (16th and 8th) and moved up to 9th overall. It was an expensive day for some - Marc Blees and Dave Mellor both shredded their sails just prior to the start of Race 8, and Clifton Webb was forced to retire due to a damaged mast.
Day 5
The first race of the day (Race 9) was started under blue skies, warm temperatures and a constant 11-12 knot wind. The Olympic Trapezoid course was used. Iain Percy had an excellent race, leading from the first mark with Fredrik Lööf rounding the second mark alongside Percy. Fredrik was then given a yellow flag by the Jury for pumping and as a result lost his slight advantage. The Brit took off downwind, in conditions that had freshened to over 15 knots, to win his third race with a clear 100 metre lead over Richard Clarke in second place and Fredrik in third.
An increase in wind strength to 15-17 knots meant that the triangle course was set for Race 10. Michael Fellmann yet again showed the fleet that he loves the stronger wind conditions and choppy seas - he flew, and took his third win of the week. Fredrik finished second and Mateusz was third.
Mateusz, the defending World Champion, was pleased with his performance on Day 5. Going into the final day, he was reasonably confident “I think my strength is in my preparation for the regatta, to be good in all weather conditions. My focus was to gain good speed both upwind and downwind, and I think this has been my advantage in this championship. I’m happy because I have the silver for sure but I really want to win.” After 10 races, 2 discards were taken into account, leaving Mateusz in first, Fredrik in second and Iain Percy in third.
Day 6
The final, 11th race was sailed in a dying north wind that started at about 12 knots and quickly faded to 6 knots at the top of the first beat, and 2 knots by the end. It was a tricky and nerve racking race for most of the top competitors, with none of the medal positions decided before the start. Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Iain Percy both had a bad race and subsequently retired. This put the pressure on Fredrik Lööf, but he did just enough - achieving a third place in the race and thus winning the Gold Cup by just one point over the Olympic and 1998 World Champion.
As Iain Percy sailed home, Richard Clarke knew that he now had the chance of a medal, “I was involved in a collision near the end of the leg as I tried to cross a starboard tacker but did not make it. After some damage to the right side of the boat and two penalty circles I continued to race and rounded the first mark 10th. I had another stellar run and passed a few guys to round the bottom mark 5th. The rest of the race was very slow and nerve racking but I maintained my composure and only lost one more boat on the final run to finish 6th.” Enough to give him the bronze medal. Having had a bad start to the Championship with a 30th and 28th in the first two races, he performed consistently well throughout the remainder of the races. His achievement not only qualified his country for a place in the Finn event of the 2000 Olympic Games, but his third place assures him of being the Canadian representative for the Finn in Sydney.
Summary
1999 has seen a fantastic Gold Cup held in a wide range of conditions. Congratulations to Freddy Lööf for his third Gold Cup win, and many thanks to our hosts - 99 Worlds and the Sandringham Yacht Club.