2024 Finn Gold Cup: Premier Sailing Event at Aarhus, Denmark
2024 Finn Gold Cup at Sailing Aarhus – Day 4
31 August – 7 September 2024
Perfect Score for Muhonen as Finn Gold Cup Approaches Finale
Oskari Muhonen from Finland showcased exceptional sailing skills at the 2024 Finn Gold Cup in Aarhus, Denmark, winning all three races held on Friday. He achieved significant victories, positioning himself close to his first Finn Gold Cup title. With the introduction of the discard rule, Hungary’s Domonkos Nemeth moved into second place, while Italy’s Alessandro Marega is currently in third. Only one day of sailing remains in the championship.
The fourth day of the championship finally delivered the desired racing conditions, featuring bright sunshine and winds ranging from 10 to 15 knots, which facilitated three excellent races. The competitors executed clean starts, with all races commencing smoothly on the first try.
In the day’s first race, Race 5 of the championship, Nemeth initially led the pack. However, in a dramatic turn during the final downwind leg, Muhonen overtook him just before reaching the gate and secured the win. Lebrun had a strong start, finishing in third place for that race.
In Race 6, Nemeth once again led at the top mark, but Muhonen quickly regained his strength downwind, taking the lead and ultimately winning. Nemeth finished in second position, while Marega rounded out the top three, with all top contenders finishing well ahead of the rest of the competition.
For the final race of the day, Muhonen performed exceptionally well, maintaining the lead from the top mark and winning decisively. Although Nemeth held second for most of the race, Lebrun surged ahead on the final run to snag second place, leaving Nemeth to take third.
Lebrun’s performance throughout the day was commendable, finishing with a score of 3-4-2, placing him in fourth overall, just one point shy of the podium. He reflected on the challenging day, noting that after a lengthy day on the water yesterday, everybody was likely feeling fatigued. He added that the day’s wind conditions were the best they had experienced, allowing for exciting downwind surfing.
Miguel Fernandez Vasco from Spain, competing in his birthday week, finished the day in seventh overall, expressing his joy at celebrating his birthday on the water and achieving solid scores despite the challenging conditions.
With an eight-point lead, Muhonen now only requires one good race to clinch the championship title. Nemeth, with one high score that he can discard, should secure at least a silver medal. The battle for the bronze medal appears to be closely contested between Marega and Lebrun, who are separated by just a few points. Notably, Nemeth leads the Silver Cup for Under-23 competitors.
The 2024 Finn Gold Cup will conclude on Saturday, with two more races scheduled to begin at 12:00.
Results after Day 4: (top ten, 7 races)
1. FIN 8 Oskari MUHONEN – 7pts
2. HUN 80 (U23) Domonkos NÉMETH – 15pts
3. ITA 1103 Alessandro MAREGA – 23pts
4. FRA 111 Valérian LEBRUN – 24pts
5. ITA 40 Marko KOLIC – 47pts
6. GBR 5 Cameron TWEEDLE – 48pts
7. ESP 161 Miguel FERNÁNDEZ VASCO – 51pts
8. NOR 5 Lars Johan BRODTKORB – 52pts
9. GER 711 André BUDZIEN – 52pts
10. FRA 75 Laurent HAY – 59pts
Luca Moretti, an accomplished sailor and marine journalist from Genoa, Italy, has a lifelong passion for the sea that has defined his career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Genoa, Luca is celebrated for his vivid and insightful storytelling. His work captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime traditions of Europe, making him a well-respected voice in the sailing community. When he’s not writing, Luca can be found exploring the Mediterranean’s picturesque coastlines and competing in regattas, always seeking new adventures on the open water.