2021 Finn European Masters at Tihanyi Hajós Egylet, Hungary - Day 1
by Robert Deaves 9 Sep 07:07 BST
7-11 September 2021
The largest ever Finn European Masters opened at the Tihanyi Hajós Egylet, Hungary, on Wednesday in 'paradise' sailing conditions. After two races Zdenek Gebhart, from Czech Republic, leads Bas de Waal and Cees Scheurwater, from The Netherlands.
A fleet of 78 Finn Masters, a record entry for the event, with competitors mainly from across eastern Europe has gathered in Tihany, on Lake Balaton in Hungary for the 2021 Finn European Masters and were treated to some challenging blue water sailing in 27 degrees with 6-10 knots of breeze. According to third placed Scheurwater it was 'paradise sailing'.
The first two races were sailed in a 6-10 knots breeze, while a third race was attempted but later abandoned as the breeze became too shifty and unstable.
On Wednesday evening the fleet was treated to a delicious typical Hungarian goulash with lashings of free beer and wine.
Third placed Scheurwater explained the day.
"The starting line was always biased to the pin and the top ten were always there. Then it was about sailing the lane and picking up the next lane, and the next lane. I happened to be very fast on the downwind so that was very handy, but it was very difficult because it was very fluky and the wind was very up and down."
After two 'fair' races in 6-10 knots, "The third race was a drama. The wind went left 40 degrees on the first upwind and then another 40 degrees on the second so it was cancelled. The first races were ok. They were long enough to wait for the next shift, so was pretty fair sailing, but you had to be at the pin.
"It was a lot of fun and good sailing. The club here is great and very hospitable. It was a long drive but we are very happy to be here.
"It's really nice sailing; I find it paradise sailing, blue water, 27 degrees." What's not to like?
The tropical weather conditions are expected to persist and the championship continues until Saturday, with 10 races planned over the four-day event.
Results after Day 1: (top ten, 2 races)
1 CZE 2 Zdenek Gebhart 5pts
2 NED 29 Bas de Waal 7pts
3 NED 7 Cees Scheurwater 8pts
4 HUN 50 Akos Lukats 11pts
5 UKR 8 Taras Havrysh 17pts
6 HUN 80 Örs Németh 18pts
7 UKR 7 Vladimir Stasyuk 18pts
8 CZE 33 Ivan Rames 22pts
9 RYF 32 Alexey Zhivotovskiy 22pts
10 RYF 17 Vasiliy Kravchenko 23pts
Full results available here.
For more information visit event website 2021finnmastersec.org.