Once again Split is the center of the World!
At least that is what it seems from the, so far, 109 entries at the Open Senior and Junior European Finn Championship this year being organized by the YC Labud.
In time period between May 8th and 16th all the best helmsmen in this royal class from the European continent but also from far away New Zealand and USA, making the total of 27 nations, will come to a city at the foot of hill Marjan ready for skirmish on water.
The record number of entries promises unsparing battle of the favorites at the race area in Split's waters as well as true enjoyment in the top quality sailing .
Another interesting fact is connected to this already engaging competition. Title of European champion is being defended by Split native - Ivan Kljaković-Gašpić, member of SC Zenta.
Legendary Bambi has in this past season won the gold medal at EC sailed in Varna, Bulgaria and the bronze at the World Championship. Medal collecting was continued and in this year at the World Cup regattas with the silver at the Palma de Mallorca and the bronze at Hyeres.
Side by side with Bambi another Croat deserves the mention as the favorite to win – Marin Mišura, member of Split, who, after a short brake, has returned to racing in top form. At the last year EC he finished fourth while this year he sailed in only one out of seven regattas of the World Cup, Hyeres, where he won the gold medal.
Even though the Croatian sailors are in excellent form, the next six days on water won't be easy on anyone. According to the schedule for the following five days 2 races are planned for each day and next Sunday only one but most important one known as the medal race.
If weather permits the competitors and their caring organizers should present us with masterful sailing in front of Split's Harbor since in a current entry lineup it is hard to foretell who will take the title of the best European Finn sailor.
As favorite for the medal is also mentioned Great Britain’s Edward Wright who is after so far finished four World Cup regattas (out of seven total) at the top and thus cementing the title of number one favorite as he also has a bronze medal from the last year's European Championship.
We mustn’t forget Tapioa Nirkkoa from Finland who was silver at the last EC or our neighbor from Slovenia Gašper Vinčec currently fourth in the World cup ranking. Entry list also has top Finn names such as Rafael Trujillo from Spain, as well as Great Britain's Giles Scott, Rafal Szuikel from Poland, New Zealand’s Dan Slater, and French duo Jonathan Lobert and Thomas le Breton that are second and third in the world rankings. In this story of first places we can also add Slovenia's Vasilij Žbogar winner of silver and gold Olympic medals in class Laser who, in this season, has started to sail in Fin class. But top sailor remains top sailor.
Prognosis is there, what happens on water remains to be seen....
At least that is what it seems from the, so far, 109 entries at the Open Senior and Junior European Finn Championship this year being organized by the YC Labud.
In time period between May 8th and 16th all the best helmsmen in this royal class from the European continent but also from far away New Zealand and USA, making the total of 27 nations, will come to a city at the foot of hill Marjan ready for skirmish on water.
The record number of entries promises unsparing battle of the favorites at the race area in Split's waters as well as true enjoyment in the top quality sailing .
Another interesting fact is connected to this already engaging competition. Title of European champion is being defended by Split native - Ivan Kljaković-Gašpić, member of SC Zenta.
Legendary Bambi has in this past season won the gold medal at EC sailed in Varna, Bulgaria and the bronze at the World Championship. Medal collecting was continued and in this year at the World Cup regattas with the silver at the Palma de Mallorca and the bronze at Hyeres.
Side by side with Bambi another Croat deserves the mention as the favorite to win – Marin Mišura, member of Split, who, after a short brake, has returned to racing in top form. At the last year EC he finished fourth while this year he sailed in only one out of seven regattas of the World Cup, Hyeres, where he won the gold medal.
Even though the Croatian sailors are in excellent form, the next six days on water won't be easy on anyone. According to the schedule for the following five days 2 races are planned for each day and next Sunday only one but most important one known as the medal race.
If weather permits the competitors and their caring organizers should present us with masterful sailing in front of Split's Harbor since in a current entry lineup it is hard to foretell who will take the title of the best European Finn sailor.
As favorite for the medal is also mentioned Great Britain’s Edward Wright who is after so far finished four World Cup regattas (out of seven total) at the top and thus cementing the title of number one favorite as he also has a bronze medal from the last year's European Championship.
We mustn’t forget Tapioa Nirkkoa from Finland who was silver at the last EC or our neighbor from Slovenia Gašper Vinčec currently fourth in the World cup ranking. Entry list also has top Finn names such as Rafael Trujillo from Spain, as well as Great Britain's Giles Scott, Rafal Szuikel from Poland, New Zealand’s Dan Slater, and French duo Jonathan Lobert and Thomas le Breton that are second and third in the world rankings. In this story of first places we can also add Slovenia's Vasilij Žbogar winner of silver and gold Olympic medals in class Laser who, in this season, has started to sail in Fin class. But top sailor remains top sailor.
Prognosis is there, what happens on water remains to be seen....
