2025 Finn Gold Cup at Clube Naval de Cascais

2025 Finn Gold Cup at Clube Naval de Cascais - Overall

by Robert Deaves 6 Sep 19:01 BST 30 August - 6 September 2025

Today in Cascais, Portugal, Deniss Karpak became the first ever Estonian winner of the Finn Gold Cup, after no more races were possible on the final day, Saturday. Italy's Arkadii Kistanov takes silver, while last year's champion, Oskari Muhonen, from Finland, takes bronze, as well as winning the Jorg Bruder U29 Finn Silver Cup.

The final day dawned windless with little hope of racing before mid-afternoon. An early postponement was raised at 11.30, but with no wind on the race course the fleet was held ashore. The postponement stretched through the morning and into the early afternoon. The sailors were teased with a very light breeze, but nothing substantial materialised and at 14.00 AP over A was raised, ending the regatta with no more races.

Finn sailing is an individual sport, but as a community the sailors honour their champions as a group. Deniss Karpak is a well-deserved champion and was honoured by every individual present. His victory is an incredible continuation of a sailing story that has come full circle from his bronze medal in the Laser class here in Cascais at the 2007 ISAF World Championship.

Top 3 Silver Cup - 2025 Finn Gold Cup podium - photo © Robert Deaves

Karpak becomes the first ever Estonian to win a major Finn title. It follows on from much IFA development work there in the 1990s and later, and his win was loved by all sailors in Cascais. It is monumental for Estonian sailing and the Finn class Apart from one slip up in Race 2 he has sailed fast and never outside the top four, winning three races, including the lightest and the windiest. What more can you expect from a true champion?

He said, "No words to describe my feelings. You know it was a beautiful week of mixed conditions so for example today we had no races, so it was hard waiting but I'm really happy to win this title, this is a historical moment for the Estonian sailing, this is a big payout for my technical director, my coach and my dad Igor so basically I dedicate this win to my family, and to my little daughter Adeline.

"Also, I'm happy to be here because it's where everything started for me. 18 years ago I won a bronze medal in the Laser class here exactly in the same sailing club and now 18 years later I won the Finn Gold Cup

"I did really well. I did not train so much for the last six months after the Europeans in Naples, but still the head remembers but the most important thing is here [touches his chest]. I am always connected to sailing with the Finn class so every time I leave sailing I always come back. That's in my DNA

On the class, "I think the Finn class is moving the right way. The Finn is a way of life and I am really happy to see that, especially the Masters fleet, with 300 boats starting. That's impressive. Next year I am coming, as I will be 40. I wont be in Brisbane but after that will join the fleet."

Arkadiy Kistanov started the week on the back foot with an OCS, but from then on remained consistent and won one race. Like Karpak, he has only returned to competitive Finn sailing this year and is very enthused by the class and made a call at the prize-giving to generate more youth sailors to inspire the future generations.

Georgia Bruder, left, with Finn Silver Cup - 2025 Finn Gold Cup podium - photo © Robert Deaves

"Very happy with this result. I mean I could only dream about it, I am not so happy about my performance to be honest, but I mean it was good enough for all the effort I put. Congratulations to Deniss and Oskari, for being first and third. Crazy week, super cool, super tricky, very tidal races. I am full of happiness and happy to be in the Finn Class."

Last year's champion Oskari Muhonen, who was the first ever Finnish Finn Gold Cup winner, had a slow start to the event but when the breeze arrived, he was almost unbeatable, winning three out of five races.

He said, "A tricky start for me with the black flag and the bad races early in the week so I was quite like already done with the winning at least at that point but still quite happy to manage to pull out third after two solid days with more wind. So obviously not what I was aiming for but still pleased to finish third. For next year I think Brisbane might be a bit hard for me logistically but probably I will be back in La Rochelle in 2027."

Top 10 - 2025 Finn Gold Cup podium - photo © Robert Deaves

Muhonen also wins the Finn Silver Cup, a title he last won in 2020, then for U23 and now as U29. Brazil's Antonio Carvalho Moreira took silver while last year's winner, Domonkos Nemeth, from Hungary, took the bronze. In total, 11 U29 sailors were taking part this year.

Fifty-five years ago, the Finn Gold Cup was won in Cascais by the legendary Jörg Bruder, his first of three wins. Fate determined he would remain unbeaten when he was tragically killed in an air crash in 1973 on the way to defend the title for the third time. This week his daughter Georgia has been making a kind of pilgrimage to the Finn Gold Cup in Cascais to complete the circle after writing her father's story in the book 'Regatta 977 - Biography of the champion sailor'.

Deniss Karpak, EST - 2025 Finn Gold Cup podium - photo © Robert Deaves

Giorgia was present at the Clube Naval de Cascais to present the Jorg Bruder Silver Cup, donated to the Finn class by the Brazilian Olympic Association, to remember her father. She was on stage with Patrick de Barros, who competed at the 1970 Finn Gold Cup here in Cascais. She also presented a copy of her book to the Clube Naval de Cascais today. The circle was completed.

Past commodore of the Clube Naval de Cascais Jose Matoso, also a Finn sailor in the 1970s, presented many of the prizes to the other winners and top 10.

IFA President Rob McMillan and Jose Matoso - 2025 Finn Gold Cup podium - photo © Robert Deaves

All told, it has been a great championship wonderfully hosted by the Clube Naval de Cascais, even if not in typical Cascais conditions (unlike the forecast for next week!). But the fleet had three light wind, and five moderate to strong wind races, so it has been a true test of sailing ability. The top three here proved a step above the rest. The level in the class keeps improving with more sailors coming back and motivated to test their Finn skills again.

There is not long to wait until the next Finn Gold Cup. Boats will be packed shortly for the long trip to Brisbane Australia where the next Finn Gold Cup, preceding the Finn World Masters, will be held in February 2026.

Top 3 - 2025 Finn Gold Cup podium - photo © Robert Deaves

Overall Results:

Pos	Boat / Sponsor	Sail No	Helm	Club	Category	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	Pts
1		EST 2	Deniss KARPAK	FVM / KST	SrM	1	‑44	4	3	2	1	3	1	15
2	KTOOL.HU	ITA 51	Arkadii KISTANOV	CIRCOLO VELA TORBOLE	SrM	OCS	11	1	2	3	8	2	5	32
3		FIN 8	Oskari MUHONEN	NJK	u29M	15	23	BFD	1	1	2	1	2	45
4		ITA 1103	Alessandro MAREGA	SOCIETA VELA OSCAR COSULICH	SrM	‑9	9	2	7	9	9	7	7	50
5		FIN 99	Jesse Kylänpää KYLÄNPÄÄ	RPS	SrM	3	10	‑29	14	11	3	4	6	51
6	TT2	NED 6	Martijn VAN MUYDEN	KWVL	Grand MasterM	‑48	7	5	19	5	5	6	8	55
7		FRA 111	Valerian LEBRUN	CN Loctudy	MasterM	4	5	15	5	8	12	11	‑16	60
8	CEV	FRA 75	Laurent HAY	La Rochelle Nautique	Grand Grand MasterM	6	1	7	‑18	13	11	12	13	63
9	NB SAILSPORTS	AUS 2	Rob MCMILLAN	WSC	Grand Grand MasterM	‑61	22	3	23	4	4	9	4	69
10		BRA 114	Antonio CARVALHO MOREIRA	CNC/MB	u29M	7	‑16	10	10	14	15	5	9	70
11		HUN 80	Domonkos NÉMETH	Tihanyi Hajós Egylet	u29M	34	‑51	8	6	6	6	8	3	71
12	SALLY	ITA 40	Marko KOLIC	FRAGLIA DELLA VELA ‑ PESCHIERA DEL GARDA	SrM	19	4	16	8	10	DNF	10	10	77
13		NED 148	Peter PEET	De Kaag	Grand Grand MasterM	‑40	2	14	9	17	7	18	15	82
14	FINNSAILING.DE	GER 711	André BUDZIEN	SYC	Grand Grand MasterM	‑32	3	6	17	20	10	20	11	87
15	HARKEN	GBR 790	Nick CRAIG	Warsash Sailing Club	Grand MasterM	11	6	13	15	‑18	18	16	12	91
16	SWEMAINT	SWE 72	Peter OVERUP	Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club	Grand MasterM	24	8	17	13	15	UFD	15	17	109
17	FINN SAILING ACADEMY / SAIL CODE	ESP 7	David TEROL	Club Nàutic Hospitalet‑Vandellós	MasterM	12	‑39	18	12	12	13	27	29	123
18		SWE 32	Olof LUNDQVIST	Malmö Sailing Club	Grand MasterM	22	‑45	11	29	16	14	13	27	132
19		FIN 34	Aleksi SAARNI	EPS	u23M	13	12	12	‑33	27	23	24	26	137
20		NED 149	Matthieu MOERMAN	Kwv De Kaag	SrM	‑47	17	24	30	21	20	23	19	154
21		NED 703	Eric BAKKER	Het Witte Huis	Grand Grand MasterM	10	27	BFD	27	28	32	22	24	170
22	FANNI	HUN 808	Kristóf KAISER	Balatonfüredi Yacht Club	SrM	62	21	BFD	16	24	17	19	14	173
23	JIMMY WONG	AUS 37	James BEVIS	WSC	MasterM	36	54	DSQ	11	19	19	21	20	180
24		NED 29	Bas DE WAAL	WSV Het Witte Huis	Grand MasterM	18	19	22	‑38	25	35	31	31	181
25	PANDA	POR 26	Gonçalo Maria CASTRO NUNES	Clube Naval de Cascais	u23M	17	‑46	23	36	30	21	29	36	192
26	DOM	BRA 32	Pedro LODOVICI	YCI	Grand MasterM	38	61	BFD	20	23	16	14	22	194
27	TUYYO	ESP 107	Agustin JUAREZ MARRERO	Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria	Grand MasterM	39	26	39	21	‑40	28	17	25	195
28	TT‑FINN	NED 68	Joost HOUWELING	K.W.V. de Kaag	MasterM	27	31	25	43	22	DNF	30	21	199
29	BUMBLEBEE	SWE 5	Fredrik TEGNHED	Karlstad Segel sällskap	Grand Grand MasterM	31	‑41	41	24	26	24	25	28	199
30		POR 5	Frederico MELO	Clube Naval de Cascais	SrM	2	18	9	4	7	DSQ	DNC	DNC	202
31		POR 73	Nuno ESPÍRITO SANTO SILVA	Clube Naval de Cascais	Grand MasterM	26	‑56	20	25	31	33	37	39	211
32	ANGEL	SUI 99	Laurent CHAPUIS	CNM	Grand Grand MasterM	8	25	46	35	42	44	‑55	33	233
33	BUSCASTELL VINS	ESP 76	Alejandro CARDONA RIERA	CN Ibiza	MasterM	28	28	BFD	45	33	31	32	40	237
34		FIN 269	Mikko TIILIKKA	HSK	Grand MasterM	‑74	30	31	44	32	50	28	23	238
35		NED 43	Ronald VAN KLOOSTER	WSV Het Witte Huis	Grand Grand MasterM	37	38	19	32	37	45	‑63	34	242
36	SAILING TEAM HAWEI	GER 52	Harald WEICHERT	YCBL	Grand Grand MasterM	‑60	34	47	37	38	22	35	32	245
37	FINN CLASS AUSTRALIA	AUS 250	Patrick CUMMIN	Davey's Bay Yacht Club	u23M	55	24	21	‑56	48	40	33	38	259
38		POL 77	Przemyslaw MARCZAK	K.S. Spójnia‑Warszawa	u29M	16	43	26	‑58	46	37	41	53	262
39		FRA 66	Philippe LOBERT	CNArradon	Grand Grand MasterM	5	36	40	55	44	39	49	‑56	268
40	KONEBåD III	DEN 246	Jens Kristian ANDERSEN	VSK	Grand Grand MasterM	30	‑67	44	40	47	25	46	42	274
41		NED 66	Ewout MEIJER	WSV Het Witte Huis	Grand Grand MasterM	14	‑59	38	49	29	48	40	57	275
42	LAD ON TOUR	AUS 111	Samuel EDE	DBYC	u23M	57	40	BFD	31	51	27	34	37	277
43		POR 56	Francisco PINHEIRO DE MELO	Clube Naval de Cascais	Grand Grand MasterM	‑70	65	42	28	34	26	51	44	290
44		BRA 11	Robert RITTSCHER	YCI	Grand Grand MasterM	64	‑69	34	42	43	38	42	35	298
45	SIXTY	GER 60	Thilo DURACH	DTYC	Grand MasterM	‑59	58	37	48	57	30	39	30	299
46		POR 61	Fernando BELLO	Clube Naval de Cascais	Grand Grand MasterM	20	13	BFD	46	39	DNF	48	55	302
47	STAY SLIPPPERY	AUS 255	Lewis DAVIES	Davey's Bay Yacht Club	SrM	45	47	33	47	50	36	‑61	47	305
48		ESP 9	Evgenii CHIBIREV	Real Club Náutico Valencia	SrM	52	33	35	51	36	‑54	50	52	309
49	SEMPRE CARO	ITA 2	Marco BUGLIELLI	CIRCOLO DELLA VELA DI ROMA	Grand Grand MasterM	33	48	43	‑54	49	51	36	51	311
50		NED 133	Tobias DE HAER	KWV de Kaag	u29M	50	37	30	41	35	43	DNC	DNC	317
51		FRA 85	Aubert LEROUGE	NFM	u29M	56	62	DNC	39	41	42	43	41	324
52		POR 55	Jorge MELO	Clube Naval de Cascais	Grand Grand MasterM	43	60	36	DNF	56	53	38	48	334
53	METUNO	ESP 739	David RIVERO MARTÍNEZ	Real Club Náutico de La Coruña	Grand MasterM	53	14	32	59	60	60	62	DNF	340
54	ANACHRONISTIC	USA 2	R. Phillip RAMMING	Newport Harbor Yacht Club	Grand Grand MasterM	51	57	49	52	‑58	29	52	50	340
55		GER 286	Max TROMMER	Segelclub Handwerk Plauen	u29M	77	50	27	61	45	41	44	DNC	345
56	BAGAMOYO	ITA 168	Germano LUCCHETTA	ASSOCIAZIONE VELA LAGO DI CALDARO	Grand MasterM	‑73	70	55	22	61	46	54	45	353
57	CR2	BRA 108	Cristiano RUSCHMANN	BL3	Grand MasterM	46	73	51	34	55	DNF	47	49	355
58		POL 6	Bartosz SZYDLOWSKI	Sailing Legia	MasterM	23	55	BFD	DNC	DNC	DNC	26	18	365
59		USA 31	James DEWOLFE	ABYC	SrM	‑69	52	54	57	62	34	57	58	374
60	ROCK SOLID	AUS 169	Jason WILSON	Daveys Bay Yacht Club	Grand MasterM	‑66	64	52	50	54	52	56	46	374
61	CRAYOLA BLANCO	USA 47	Robert KINNEY	Newport Harbor Yacht Club	Grand Grand MasterM	63	29	48	‑68	65	56	58	59	378
62	SWEET 4444	GER 909	Udo MUREK	YCBL	Grand Grand MasterM	54	20	45	53	DNC	DNC	45	DNC	379
63	KAIROS ZILLERPLUS	GER 65	Ziller MICHAEL	MYC/MRSV	Grand Grand MasterM	71	42	BFD	65	53	55	53	43	382
64		GER 477	Harald LEISSNER	JOLLENSEGLER REICHENAU	Grand Grand MasterM	44	‑75	58	63	63	49	59	54	390
65	FINN SAILING ACADEMY	POR 21	Filipe SILVA	Clube Naval de Cascais	MasterM	29	15	BFD	26	DNF	DNC	DNC	DNC	394
66	RITOLA	ESP 737	Ignacionieto NIETO TARAMONA	Club Náutico Ría de Ares	Grand MasterM	58	35	50	64	59	47	DNC	DNC	394
67		NOR 13	Reidar FOSSE	Asker Seilforening	Grand Grand MasterM	21	72	56	62	52	DNS	64	DNC	408
68		ITA 177	Stefano CARUSO	VELA LNI ANZIO	Grand Grand MasterM	67	71	53	DNC	66	58	60	60	435
69		POR 6	Miguel MAYA	Clube Naval de Cascais	Grand Grand MasterM	25	53	57	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	459
70	FAITH	BRA 97	Ricardo SANTOS	YCSA	Grand MasterM	42	68	28	DNF	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	462
71	WOO HOO	GBR 18	Jonathan PYKE	Hayling Island Sailing Club	Grand Grand MasterM	72	66	62	60	64	57	DNC	DNC	462
72		POR 3	Carlos AZEVEDO	Clube Naval de Cascais	Grand Grand MasterM	35	32	BFD	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	472
73	ATREVIDO 4	ESP 99	Gerardo SEELIGER	Real Club Náutico de Barcelona	LegendM	41	63	DNE	66	DNC	DNC	65	DNC	478
74	DIDIER GOUDANT	POR 66	Didier GOUDANT	Clube Naval de Cascais	Grand MasterM	75	77	59	67	DNC	59	66	DNF	484
75	STARBOX2	GER 93	Bernd STOLL	Konstanzer Yachtclub	Grand Grand MasterM	49	49	BFD	DNF	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	503
76	XALET	POR 58	Henrique COSTA E SILVA	Clube de Vela Atlantico	Grand Grand MasterM	76	76	60	DNF	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	536
77		POR 2	Diogo LACERDA	Clube Naval de Cascais	Grand Grand MasterM	79	74	61	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	538
78	TBD	USA 58	Anna BROUGHTON	North Cape Yacht club	Grand MasterW	78	DNC	63	DNF	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	546
79	MENZA	ESP 313	Antonio PARRA	Real Club Náutico de La Coruña	Grand Grand MasterM	65	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	551
80	BALADA	BRA 44	Fabiano VIVACQUA	ICRJ / CGSC	Grand Grand MasterM	68	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	554