The 70th Finn Gold Cup, partnered by Porsche Centre Brisbane, commenced on Friday evening at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Brisbane, Australia, welcoming around 70 sailors from 15 nations. Registration and equipment inspections are currently underway.
During the gala event, attendees reminisced about the inaugural Finn Gold Cup held in Burnham-on-Crouch, UK, in 1956, as well as the 1976 Cup, which also took place in Brisbane.
The event was hosted by Rob Brown OAM, noted for his role as the trimmer on the victorious Australia II in the 1983 America’s Cup. He expressed gratitude for the efforts made by everyone to gather from across the world, highlighting the pride of RQYS in hosting such an esteemed regatta.
Curtis Skinner, Commodore of RQYS, echoed the sentiment, remarking on the significance of the occasion being 50 years since Brisban hosted its last Finn Gold Cup. He introduced historical participants John Ferguson and Gus Miller from that event, emphasising the class’s strong sense of community.
Councillor Alex Givney Wynnum noted that the Finn Class exemplifies strength, resilience and skill, acknowledging the competitors’ dedication. He offered best wishes for fair winds, sharp tactics and memorable experiences both on and off the water.
Rob McMillan, President of the International Finn Association (IFA), expressed gratitude to the volunteers, sponsors, and RQYS for their support. He drew parallels between the trophy’s history and Porsche’s first world sports car triumph in 1956, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm for both brands.
David Crosdale from Porsche Centre Brisbane expressed his delight in supporting the event and the synergy between the Finn class and Porsche, noting the communal spirit shared by both fleets.
John Ferguson OAM, the former Commodore of RQYS and past participant of the 1976 Finn Gold Cup, officially declared the 2026 Finn Gold Cup open, concluding the ceremony.
The Finn Gold Cup and the Finn World Masters have previously been held together, but for the first time, these events will occur consecutively over the next two weeks. The practice race is set for Saturday, with a series of 10 races scheduled from Sunday to Thursday.
National Championship Recap
The Australian National Championship took place last weekend, featuring a record 80 boats and marking the largest Finn championship in the country to date. Competitors raced in two groups, completing five races in varying wind conditions over three days.
Brendan Casey, representing the home club, dominated the competition, winning four of the five races and taking the title, while Olympic medalist Rafael Trujillo finished second with two victories. Ian McKillip secured third place, with race wins also going to Rob McMillan, Karl Purdie, Anthony Nossiter and Bas de Waal. This competition showcased the emerging talent ahead of the Gold Cup, with numerous European sailors joining the fleet.
How to Follow the 2026 Finn Gold Cup and Finn World Masters
The 2026 Finn Gold Cup (World Championship) and Finn World Masters will take place from February 12-27, 2026, at RQYS. These events precede the Australian Championship, held from February 7-10. For more information, visit the event website.
Entry lists, results, and notice boards can be found at RQYS International Finn Events.
Video Highlights
Daily highlights will be available on Finn TV.
Follow the event on social media for updates and highlights: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Hashtags for the event: @InternationalFinnClass #finnsailing #fgc #finngoldcup #finnclass #finn #sailing #worldsailingofficial
Please be vigilant against scams and only follow official channels for event updates.
Interested in seeing more Racing News? Click here
