Issue date
Fighting back from an OCS (early start penalty) in the first race of the regatta, Rob Coutts secured the 2012 World Championship for New Zealand in the Grand Masters division, and sixth overall.
Right: Rob Coutts stands on top of the Grand Masters podium, with John Greendood (left) and Andre Budzien (left) Photo © International Finn Association
"Mentaly it was a tough regatta, I'm tired but so happy to bring this one home for New Zealand" he said.
With 133 competitors all starting on one line, mixed with current and past world champions, this year’s event proved to be one of the most compete events yet.
Grand Masters
1 NZL 9 Rob Coutts
2 GER 711 Andre Budzien
3 GBR 5 John Greenwood
Grand Grand Masters
1 FRA 150 Pascal Tetard
2 NED 8 Rodrick Cassander
3 SWE 721 Michael Brandt
Legend
1 GBR 77 Howard Sellars
2 GBR 531 Richard Hart
3 GBR 611 Tony Lock
Greg Wilcox finished 25th and Maurice Duncan of Naval Point Club Lyttelton finished 105th.
Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club was the perfect host, going to great lengths to ensure that all the competitors had a great time on and off the water. It has been a remarkable championship in many ways not least the uncharacteristic weather; but no one complained.
Next year the championship returns to La Rochelle in France, which last hosted the event in 1996. Already forecasts are for a 200-250 boat championship. If Maier wins there he will equal the record set by Larry Lemieux (CAN) between 1995 and 2004 of five Finn World Masters titles.
Final results (top 10 from 131)
1 CZE 1 Michael Maier 5
2 GBR 2 Allen Burrell 23
3 FRA 75 Laurent Hay 25
4 GER 707 Uli Breuer 31
5 LTU 7 Tauras Rymonis 37
6 NZL 9 Rob Coutts 48
7 GER 711 Andre Budzien 52
8 GBR 5 John Greenwood 61
9 GER 700 Martin Hofmann 80
10 ITA 4 Francesco Faggiani 82
Full Results and photos
