FINN CUP MALCESINE
30 SETTEMBRE - 2 OTTOBRE 2005
The 2005 Malcesine Finn Cup in Lake Garda once again provided high level competition with a fleet of 55 boats from 8 countries. All weather conditions were experienced over 3 days and 5 races sailed. From hot, sunny and windy to light races sailed in rain and fog, lake Garda displayed its full array of conditions. To add to the thrill this regatta tried an innovating new scoring system developped by the Finn class with only penalty points and no drop. The experiment, supervised by IFA officials, was highly interesting, as it opened the debate between sailors, race committees, judges, sailing journalist and class officials.
The Finn Cup was convincingly won by Matthias Miller from Germany. This young sailor is one of many new "blood" regenerating the strong German Finn fleet. His consistent sailing secured him a comfortable lead over Czeq sailor Rudolf Lidarik. In third place is another junior sailor from Germany Matthias Bohn from Warnemunde. The best placed Italian sailor was 19 years old Marko Kolic in 5th position, he was awarded the perpetual Menoni Trophy. Other well placed Junior include Mark Andrews in 7th position. The scottish sailor turned 20 in Malcesine but he is waiting to go home to celebrate in style! The NO DROP system cost some favorites dearly, like Gasper Vincec, Florian Raudaschl or Wietze Zetzema who had to carry 55 points in their overall results.
How many reasons do we need to come to Malcesine? The beautiful scenery of Lake Garda or the famous local Tiramisu (Emilios Papathanasiou favorite dessert!), one of the best reasons to come to Malcesine is the hospitality of the organisers. They treated the sailors every day with freshly cooked pasta and local wine and on the last day the world best lasagna made of wild mushrooms gathered from the surounding mountains. Next March, the Yacht Club will be finished. A beautiful structure, following the coastline shape, with huge open windows on the water, wooden beams on the ceiling and walls...and a roof covered with grass (like the teletubbies house). The next regatta in Fraglia Vela Malcesine will surely be a "must" place to be!
Corinne McKenzie