Wind, fog and black flags made this year's Finn world championship one to remember. Sue Pelling reports from Weymouth.

Reigning Olympic champion Mateusz Kusznierewicz from Poland has won the Finn Gold Cup for the third year running. With the final day's racing at Weymouth cancelled because of thick fog, and the loss of a race earlier in the week due to strong winds, Kusznierewicz hung on to his 13 points lead to clinch the title from Olympic silver medallist, Sebastien Godefroid.

Kusznierewicz, notched up an impressive, consistent scoreline during the five-day (June 12-16) world championship but it was by no means plain sailing. As well as Godefroid who also had a couple of firsts, he had to contend with the likes of the British Olympic Finn representative Iain Percy who, despite his string of OCSs (premature starts), was always in the frame.

Percy's sweet taste of success in the first race was followed by bitter disappointment when, having crossed the line in first place, was disqualified for being over the line at the start. Another disqualification in the second race was followed by a win in race three. Unsatisfied with the race committee's decision to disqualify him for two OCSs, Percy arranged for a video crew to film the start of race four. Once again Percy, together with five others, were deemed OCS. However, Percy was able to attend the protest meeting with photographic evidence which was enough to convince the international jury that he was not over the line. He was granted redress and 1.5 points and finished the regatta in 18th place overall.

In the meantime however, Kusznierewicz, Godefroid, and Emilios Papathanasiou from Greece steadily improved their positions in the 94-boat fleet while Sweden's three-time Gold Cup winner, Fredrik Loof who won race one and had a fourth in race four, dropped down the rankings as the week progressed and had to eventually settle for eighth overall. Special mention must be made of young British sailor Andrew Simpson who, having won the national championship the previous week, scored two third places and a seventh and finished in a creditable 12th place overall in the main event.

The Masters Gold Cup world championship (40 year-olds and over)was held on a separate course and a total of 90 boats competed. Defending champion, Larry Lamieux steadily improved his position throughout the week with a win in the last two races sailed. Britain's John Greenwood had an equally impressive scoreline with two wins and two seconds, and going into the last race, led by just one point. However, the fog on the last day prevented any further racing leaving Greenwood the new Finn Masters world champion.

The Junior Gold Cup fleet (21 years-old and under) comprised some extremely talented young sailors including Britain's Charlie Cumbley (20 years old) who won the event last year, and George Kontogouris from Greece. Once again, the racing was so close with Kontogouris just five points ahead of Cumbley at the end of the regatta.

As an association known for its superb organisation, it was not surprising to find the Gold Cup dinner and prizegiving ceremony living up to its class reputation. The former Royal Naval base aircraft hanger at Portland was transformed to a grand dining hall seating over 300 guests. And, as well as the 31 different nations represented at the event from as far as New Zealand, visitors were honoured with the presence of some of the class' most distinguished sailors including Vernon Stratton - winner of the Gold Cup in 1960, and Charles Currey who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games in 1952. The only disappointment was that Paul Elvstrom, who won the Gold from Currey at the 1952 Games didn't turn up with his new Devoti Finn - rumour has it he's in training for next year's event!

Overall Results:

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