Classic Finns at the UK Masters

The UK Finn Masters championship was held at Roadford this year and the classic Finns came out to play with their newer, sleeker cousins. Six classic Finns staretd with the rest of the fleet and soon found that their acceleration off the line and speed up the beat couldn't match the new baots, but that downwind the speeds were similar. Two races were sailed on Friday in just under 20 knots, three on Saturday in slightly less wind and 2 on Sunday in 10 to 12 knots. Peter Vinton managed to get in among the newer boats on several occasions with Graham Brooks also having a go, sailing K384, the first double bottomed wooden taylor Finn. In the final results Peter was first (K197, Fairey), Alan Williams 2nd (K424, glass Taylor), Graham Brookes 3rd (K384, wood taylor), Mark Belshaw 4th (K129 Fairey), David Harker 5th (K219 Pearson) and Ronney Ball 6th (glass Taylor)

Classic Finns at Roadford CVRDA, May 2010

The three day event at Roadford was shortened by the weather. Saturday was good and sunny with a light breeze but was used for a parade, photo shoot and two fun races around the lake. Sunday was lost to strong breezes and so on Monday, although just as windy, three races were held. Nine classic Finns had entered, but only six braved the conditions. Tough beats were rewarded by fast and furious reaches and Finns dominated the CVRDA results, taking all top positions. After CVRDA handicaps were applied Peter Vinton was first in all thhree races, with another Fairey Finn sailed by Mark Belshaw (K129) 2nd, Rob Butler sailing SA470 (a Morrison Finn) 3rd, David Harker (K219, Pearson) 4th, Alan Williams (K424, glass Taylor) 5th and Andrew Wyer (K465, Warwick) 6th.