Laurent Hay, from France, is the new leader at the 2025 Finn Gold Cup after two more races were completed in Cascais, Portugal, on Wednesday. Italy’s Alessandro Marega is second with Valerian Lebrun from France in third. The race wins went to Hay and Italy’s Arkadii Kistanov.
The forecast was similar to Day 1 with a little more breeze on the cards. Though three races were scheduled to catch up the programme, a 14.00 start and several recalls in Race 3 meant time ran out so only two were completed.
Switzerland’s Laurent Chapuis was again leading at the top mark in Race 2, though he touched the mark and led Peter Peet, from The Netherlands through to lead downwind. Hay took the lead on the second upwind to win from Peet and Germany’s Andre Budzien.
The wind increased slightly to 8-10 knots for Race 3. Several recalls and the black flag reduced the fleet by 12 boats. The leaders emerged from the right corner with Estonia’s Deniss Karpak overstanding the layline, allowing Kistanov to lead all the way. Marega finished in second, with Australia’s Rob McMillan passing Karpak on the last downwind to cross in third.
Kistanov remarked, “It was a super tricky day almost as tricky as yesterday but the second race had a bit more wind, making it more constant. The first race went around 6 to 7 knots. I managed to finish probably around 12-15. The second race was simpler, and I won it. Very happy with it. Tomorrow is going to be more windy, and I really can’t wait to see the races.
Local sailor, Frederico Melo, commented, “Very hard day today, very light winds, with this fleet it is super hard. Black Flags and general recalls made it tough, but I’m loving to be here at home. Tomorrow we can expect strong breeze and we’ll see where the race committee will set the course because where we were today could be too windy, but let’s see.
Thursday should bring some change in conditions with the much-awaited strong winds forecast and three more races scheduled from 12.00. It is going to be a big day in Cascais.
Results after three races
1 FRA 75 Laurent HAY 14
2 ITA 1103 Alessandro MAREGA 20
3 FRA 111 Valerian LEBRUN 24
4 POR 5 Frederico MELO 28
5 GBR 790 Nick CRAIG 30
6 BRA 114 Antonio CARVALHO MOREIRA 33
7 FIN 34 Aleksi SAARNI 37
8 ITA 40 Marko KOLIC 39
9 GER 711 André BUDZIEN 41
10 FIN 99 Jesse Kylänpää KYLÄNPÄÄ 42
Full results here: https://regatas.cncascais.com/en/default/races/race-resultsall/text/2025-finn-gold-cup-en/menuaction/race-inscriptions
Day 2 gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/finnclassphotos/albums/72177720328798007
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