Displaying items by tag: Finn class

9th December 2020

Entries Now Open for 2021 Finn Europeans in Hyères

The Notice of Race for the 2021 Open and U23 Finn European Championship has been published and registration is also now open.

The 66th Finn Europeans will take place in Hyères, France from 16-23 April.

Registration runs until 31 January for the first round, with the second round from 15 February to 15 March. The schedule includes three days of measurement followed by a 10-race series from Monday 19 to Friday 23 April.

The championship is part of a carefully planned event strategy for the class that leads from Palma’s Trofeo Princesa Sofia in March through to the Finn Gold Cup in Porto, Portugal in May, after which many sailors will head back to Tokyo to prepare for the Olympics.

International Finn Association president Balazs Hajdu said: “This year proved that Covid-safe events could take place and we are delighted that the 2021 Open and U23 European Championship will be held in Hyères as part of the iconic Semaine Olympique Française, an event that the Finn class has been involved in since the very beginning of its history.

“I am sure that the French organisers will provide perfect Finn races as the sailors prepare not only for the final Olympic qualification event, but also for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo three months later.

“I would like to thank all those involved in putting this event together with great cooperation in showcasing our amazing sailors at this quintessential event in the sailing world.”

Hajdu also expressed his hopes that Tokyo 2020 “will not be the last year for the Finns on the Olympic circuit”, following the IOC’s recent postponement of its decision on its would-be replacement, the Mixed Offshore Keelboat event, for Paris 2024.

The most recent Finn Europeans were held at Gdynia in Poland, where Northern Ireland sailor — and solo Olympic campaigner — Oisin McClelland recorded a personal best and finished 23rd in the overall standings.

Published in Tokyo 2020

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'Finn Dinghy is Collateral Damage' - Olympic Games Statement from the International Finn Association

Young Finn sailors, including two from Ireland, have had their campaign ambitions for 2024 cruelly shattered

The International Finn Association (IFA) is extremely disappointed to see the decision taken today at the World Sailing AGM in Sarasota, USA, to exclude any event options for the Finn in favour of adopting the Mixed Two-Person Keelboat.

Most of all we are very disappointed for the many committed Finn sailors affected by this decision, especially the young sailors who have had their campaign ambitions for 2024 cruelly shattered.

We feel the Finn class has become collateral damage in the quest for gender equality and Olympic TV rights income for World Sailing.

"We feel the Finn class has become collateral damage in the quest for gender equality and Olympic TV rights income for World Sailing"

It is a great injustice that many of the best athletes in the sport of sailing no longer have an avenue to the Olympics, and we honestly feel the Olympics will be poorer as a result of the exclusion of the Finn.

We know the Finn class will continue to thrive and for the time being we will focus on supporting our athletes as they prepare for Tokyo 2020. In the coming months, the IFA will work towards finding a way back for the Finn on the Olympic programme.

Balazs Hajdu
IFA President

Published in Tokyo 2020

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Finn class

Fionn Lyden Pulls Out of Finn Europeans Due To Illness

Fionn Lyden’s week in Cadiz has been scratched, leaving Oisin McClelland as the only Irish sailor competing in Cadiz

Illness has forced Balimore’s Fionn Lyden to withdraw from the Finn Europeans getting underway in Cadiz today, Friday 9 March.

Irish Sailing’s James O’Callaghan confirmed the news as sailors from across Europe take to the waters of Andalusia ahead of the first races next Monday.

Lyden’s illness means that Oisin McClelland of Donaghadee Sailing Club will be the only Irish representative among the near 100-strong field as he progresses his Tokyo 2020 campaign.

Afloat.ie has more on the first big test of the year for Finn sailors gearing up for the Olympic qualifier this summer in Denmark.

Published in Tokyo 2020

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About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.