2021 Finn Gold Cup Day 1: Andy Maloney takes early lead as Porto delivers on opening day
by Robert Deaves 8 May 23:32 BST
8-12 May 2021
New Zealand's Andy Maloney has grabbed the early lead at the Finn Gold Cup in Porto, Portugal, after three races on Saturday, the first day of racing.
Joan Cardona, from Spain, won the second race and the European Champion from Hungary, Zsombor Berecz, ran away with the final race to sit in second and third overnight. USA's Luke Muller won the first race.
Three races were scheduled on the opening day in response to the forecast for unsafe conditions on Sunday and Monday because of heavy rainfall and a huge ocean swell caused by a passing storm. However the opening day brought near perfect conditions with wall to wall sunshine and wind ranging from 7-8 knots in the first race up to 12-14 in the next two. Few sailors found consistency across all three races setting up a fascinating week ahead.