Finn championships for Falmouth (From Boating Cornwall)

Finn championships for Falmouth

7:00pm Tuesday 14th July 2009 in Sailing By Stephen Ivall

Falmouth will be hosting a top pre-Olympic sailing event in 2012.

Confirmation came this week after a decision was taken at the annual meeting of the International Finn Association in Denmark.

It means the port will host up to 200 international racing competitors, supporters and back-up at the Finn Gold Cup just months prior to the 2012 Olympics.

“I am pleased to say that Falmouth has won the bid for the 2012 Finn Gold Cup. The British Finn Association will also be hosting their UK Nationals during this period at Falmouth,” said Andy Denison, from the association.

The festival is expected to give Falmouth a huge boost and to bring in thousands of pounds. Sailing facilities in and around the port, including Mylor Harbour, will be much involved along with sailing clubs, not least the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club.

Support for the event has already been given by the town council, local sailing clubs and organisations.

It is expected a briefing will be held at the end of the month to discuss more details and how best Cornwall and Falmouth will benefit from the festival.

Qualifying sailors at the Gold Cup will go on to complete in the Olympic sailing regatta at Weymouth later in the year.

Many sailors may well use Falmouth as their long-term base for the games’ build-up. Among them could be Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie, who learned to sail at Restronguet Sailing Club. He is expected to be among those competing and hoping to bring home his fifth Olympic medal.