Switch From Laser to Finn Gathers Pace for Casey

www.sail-world.com

A month ago Queenslander Brendan Casey switched from the Laser to Finn class a mere 24 months out to the Beijing Olympics.

He explained the reasoning behind this shift included the expected weather conditions in China, extremely light winds and weight. His weight was in the upper weight range for the Laser at 83kgs and will be at the lowest weight range for the Finn.

The Pre-Pre Olympic regatta at Qingdao was the first ever Finn event for Casey and he was surprised to gain an overall twelfth place.

This afternoon he told Sail-World ‘I have a lot to learn, I was getting to the top mark as high as third, but would lose ground down wind. But it was still a very very pleasing first up regatta. I can still count on fingers and toes, the numbers of times I've sailed a Finn.’

Now Brendan is preparing for his first trip to Europe in the Finn Class.

‘Tomorrow I depart for Barcelona and after a long flight and a short drive up the coast, I will arrive in Palamos the venue of the 2006 European Finn Championship. The regatta begins with three days of measurement followed by 12 championship races from the 25th-30th September.

‘Its going to be like Christmas come early as I take delivery of my new Devoti Finn Dinghy, Wilke Masts and sails by North Sails UK.

‘All my planning that has gone into preparing for the Finn campaign will start to come to fruition. I have been researching, planning logistics and ordering the necessary equipment over the last few weeks. Is a big change from just buying off the shelf one design equipment to having to order specialized equipment to race with. I feel that with the researched and input that I have received that it will be money well spent.

‘After my introduction to Finn racing at the Qingdao Olympic test event with a small super competitive fleet was great and the Europeans will give me another perfect opportunity to race in a much larger fleet. I look forward to doing many hours of racing and training, all the time developing my skills in the new class.

‘At the entry closing date 87 competitor have pre-registered to race for the European Championship. The forecasted conditions in Palamos are 8 –12 knots but don’t be surprised if some days are fresh to frighting. In support and giving me technical and racing advice will be Erik Stibbe. (NSWIS Headcoach)

You can follow Brendan’s progress on the regatta website at www.cvpalamos.org/finneuropean

by Rob Kothe