Finn European Championships

We can't get this close.  Great action shot today!

We've finally been able to coordinate Milly's whereabouts with Tom's regatta schedule.  And what a regatta!  It's the Finn European Championships in Athens.  There are at least four spots for qualification for the 2020 Olympics so the competition is enormous and all the best are present.  Tom has already qualified Canada for a spot for Finn so he doesn't have to worry about that but, of course, an Olympian always wants to do his best!

Opening Ceremonies:  This is a very big deal for Athens and a very important regatta for the sailors.  The ceremonies, MC'ed by a pink  - very tight - pant suited woman who was actually very good, were full of speeches, children carrying flags of the competing nations, mingling ambassadors of the competing nations, fireworks and amazing electric violinists, followed by a buffet dinner - the athletes had plates piled high with food and went for seconds. Peter and I ate like mice, comparatively.

It is the end of day 3 of racing.  Day 1: no racing because no wind.  Milly bobbed on the course waiting while all the competitors waited on land.  We read, I did Pilates - it was a relaxing day.

Day 2:  The races were postponed for an hour to 2:30 p.m. and then got underway.  We motored back and forth, up and down the course.  My eyes glued to binoculars and commentating for Peter driving Milly.  So fun! They squeezed three races in, ending the day at around 7 p.m. Tom finished the day sitting in 12th!  Fantastic!

The boats cruising around the start line, waiting.  Tom is the Canadian on the left.

Day 3:  We were all gathered around the start line: 84 Finns, about 60 coach boat RIBS, and big Milly.  No wind.  Tom hung out with us, eventually taking down his sail and coming aboard.  At about that time the race committee sent all competitors in to wait on land.  We towed Tom's boat behind Milly to the harbour, while Tom ate a sandwich or two.  Tom sculled to shore and we floated about.  Within half an hour the wind piped up, competitors were sent out and they got two races in.  Tom came 5th in the first.

Tom and coach rolling up his sail preparing to board Milly.

Sailors always help each other.

What a treat!  We want to do this more often!

Our new job, towing the Finn

And here they come!  By the time they get near us, we're way to excited and glued to the binoculars to take pictures.  Sorry!