The 2024 Finn World Masters has officially opened at PuntAla Camp & Resort on the picturesque shores of the Gulf of Follonica in Tuscany, Italy. Nearly 300 competitors from 30 nations have started their World Champs off in ideal conditions, with temperatures at 30 degrees Celsius, breezes of 8-12 knots, and a beautiful beach for all competitors to launch from.
After the first day, eight group races were held, with four fleets competing over two course areas, filling the Gulf of Follonica with vibrant activity.
The Yellow and Blue groups raced on the North course area. The races were won by three-time champion Andre Budzien, Enrico Passoni, two-time champion John Greenwood, and Rudolf Lidarik.
The Red and Green groups faced more unstable winds on the South course area, resulting in a race abandonment and delay. Nevertheless, there were four different race winners: Nanno Schuttrups, Laurent Hay, Akos Lukats, and Nick Craig.
All eight group races were won by different boats, setting the stage for a fascinating championship. A standout performance came from Rudolf Lidarik of the Czech Republic, who, in his first ever Finn World Masters, secured a fifth place and a win in the second race.
Stay tuned for an exciting week of racing! Full results can be found here.