2025 Finn Gold Cup at Clube Naval de Cascais - Day 2
by Robert Deaves 4 Sep 05:29 BST
30 August - 6 September 2025
Laurent Hay, from France, is the new leader at the 2025 Finn Gold Cup after two more races were completed in Cascais, Portugal, on Wednesday. Italy's Alessandro Marega is second with Valerian Lebrun from France in third. The race wins went to Hay and Italy's Arkadii Kistanov.
The forecast was similar to Day 1 with a little more breeze on the cards. Though three races were scheduled to catch up the programme, a 14.00 start and several recalls in Race 3 meant time ran out so only two were completed.
Switzerland's Laurent Chapuis was again leading at the top mark in Race 2, though he touched the mark and led Peter Peet, from The Netherlands through to lead downwind. Hay took the lead on the second upwind to lead down to take the win from Peet and Germany's Andre Budzien.
The wind increased slightly to 8-10 knots for Race 3. Several recalls and the black flag reduced the fleet by 12 boats. The leaders emerged from the right corner with Estonia's Deniss Karpak overstanding the lay line, letting Kistanov through to lead all the way. Maraga was also up there to finish in second, with Australia's Rob McMillan passing Karpak on the last downwind to cross in third.
Kistanov said, "It was a super tricky day almost as tricky as yesterday but I think the second race we had a bit more wind, so it was a bit more constant. Still very unusual races with a lot more current than wind. I think the first race went around 6 to 7 knots. I managed to finish probably around 12-15. second race was a bit simpler, I won the race finally. Very happy with it. Tomorrow is going to be more wind, and I really can't wait to see the races."
Local sailor, Frederico Melo, said "Very hard day today, very light winds, with this fleet is super hard. Black Flags general recalls, lucky to survive all of that, not super proud how I sailed but I'm loving to be here at home. Tomorrow we can expect strong breeze and we'll see where the race committee will set the course because where we were today could be too windy, but let's see."
Thursday should bring some change in conditions with the much-awaited strong winds forecast and three more races scheduled from 12.00. It is going to be a big day in Cascais.
Racing continues until Saturday.
Results after Day 2: (top ten, 3 races)
1 FRA 75 Laurent HAY 14pts
2 ITA 1103 Alessandro MAREGA 20pts
3 FRA 111 Valerian LEBRUN 24pts
4 POR 5 Frederico MELO 28pts
5 GBR 790 Nick CRAIG 30pts
6 BRA 114 Antonio CARVALHO MOREIRA 33pts
7 FIN 34 Aleksi SAARNI 37pts
8 ITA 40 Marko KOLIC 39pts
9 GER 711 André BUDZIEN 41pts
10 FIN 99 Jesse Kylänpää KYLÄNPÄÄ 42pts
Full results available here.
Day 2 gallery available here.