FIM Cup Match Racing at the NJK Match Race Centre, Helsinki

Volvo Keelboat Squad, skippered by Ali Hall, leads Jon Eriksson in the final of the FIM Cup Match Racing © NJK Match Race Centre

Locals win Match Racing FIM Cup

On 18-20 May, the NJK Match Race Centre in Helsinki held the FIM Cup. 3 boats from the UK joined teams from Australia, Germany, Estonia and Finland at this Grade 3 match racing event.

Unseasonably warm weather lasted throughout the weekend and after the round robin was complete on Sunday morning a local team skippered by Jon Eriksson led having not dropped a match. Ali Hall, representing the Volvo Keelboat Squad, finished 2nd with fellow British skipper Christian Hamilton also progressing to the semi finals.

In the 20 knot breeze both ‘best-of-three’ semis were complete after two matches, however a technical protest led to resails of both of the second flights. The results however, were unchanged as Hall and Eriksson again dominated their opponents.

In the final Hall led from the start, however a strong gust left both boats struggling with the spinnaker drop at the leeward mark and it was Eriksson who got in front and stayed there. In the second race, Hall again led round the windward mark and this time held to the finish.

Unfortunately with the final now at 1-1, the time for starting a deciding flight had elapsed and this was where the racing ended. Having won the round robin, Eriksson took the victory by default and received the 1,000 Euro prize money from his home club.

Overall Results:

1. Jon Eriksson, FIN
2. Ali Hall, GBR
3. Sven Erik Horsch, GER
Other GBR
4. Christian Hamilton, GBR
9. David Tabb, GBR