Entries are coming in fast for the 2015 Finn Silver Cup, which this year is being hosted by the Real Club Nautico Valencia from June 28 to July 5. It will be a unique event for many reasons, but also a great opportunity for the Finn class youth to experience excellent sailing conditions and top class training and racing.
As well as the Silver Cup, the Real Club Nautico Valencia is organising a training regatta from June 25-27, immediately before the Junior Worlds, and this is open to everyone. There will also be a Rule 42 Clinic organised by the Finn Class and run by some of ISAF’s top judges. This really is a unique opportunity for training, development and competition for both Junior sailors and senior sailors.
Valencia is also, of course, the home of Luca Devoti’s Dinghy Academy, a training base for Finn sailors from all over the world, many of whom will join in the training regatta to provide a top class learning environment for the young sailors.
Even though the Finn Silver Cup has been running for 12 years, 2015 will be the first time it has been run as an independent event on the open sea. Past venues have included Maubuisson, Balaton, Malcesine, Hoorn and Moscow, but every time it has been on the open sea it has been combined with the Finn Gold Cup. The Junior Finn World Championship was first sailed for in 1999 in Melbourne, but came of age in 2004 when the Jorg Bruder Finn Silver Cup was presented by the Brazilian Olympic Committee when it was held as part of the Finn Gold Cup in Rio. It has since become a major regatta on the Finn calendar.
While last year’s winner, Anders Pedersen (NOR) is now too old to compete the runner up from 2014, and the 2011 champion, Arkadiy Kistanov (RUS) is expected to be a firm favourite in Valencia. Already there are entries from 11 nations and many more are expected to join the competition.
The Real Club Nautico Valencia offers world-class sailing training facilities inside a simply enormous compound that includes a gym, an Olympic sized swimming pool, storage areas, a dinghy park, marina, chandleries and cafés.
There is a reason why Valencia was chosen for two America’s Cups and the same reason drove Luca Devoti to establish the Dinghy Academy there. The weather is pleasant and very reliable. Wind is virtually always guaranteed, with sailing possible 98 per cent of the time. In the summer sea breezes of 15-18 knots are regular, and it is generally warmer than other places in Europe due to the local geography.
There is extensive accommodation close by, a limited number of charter boats will be available, and competitors will get inclusive use of club facilities.
Sailors can register now on the event website, which also contains the Notice of Race and other important information.
– Robert Deaves
