Finn Gold Cup makes welcome return to iconic Cascais
by Robert Deaves 26 Aug 18:28 UTC
30 August - 6 September 2025
The 2025 Finn Gold Cup is being hosted by the Clube Naval de Cascais © Robert Deaves /
www.robertdeaves.uk
Fifty-five years ago, in 1970, the Finn Gold Cup was held in Cascais, Portugal. It remains to this day the largest ever Finn Gold Cup with 160 competitors from 34 nations.
Next week, the Finn Gold Cup returns to Cascais for the third time. With almost 90 entries from 20 nations, it is set to be perhaps the most competitive event in the class for many years. The Finn Gold Cup was also held in Cascais in 2007 as part of the ISAF World Championships.
It's interesting to note that there are no past winners entered, so by the end of the week there will be a new name on the Finn Gold Cup, joining a list of sailors who have defined global sailing for three generations. Last's year's world champion, Oskari Muhonen, from Finland is not entered. This will also be the first year the Finn Silver Cup will be raced for in the U29 category after this was realigned last year.
However, there are four former European Champions taking part. The current European champion is France's Valerian Lebrun, taking the title in Naples in April. He was fourth at the 2024 Finn Gold Cup in Aarhus
Hungary's Domonkos Németh, has not raced internationally since placing second at the 2024 Finn Gold Cup, but the 2023 European Champion has been training hard and desperately wants the win. He is also still young enough to win the Finn Silver Cup. Winning both in the same season has only been accomplished by one sailor.
Alessandro Marega, from Italy, was the 2024 European Champion and is the current World No.1. Also making a return is Miguel Fernandez Vasco, from Spain, who won the European title in 2022.
The entry list also includes the 2024 World Masters champion, and long-time world No. 1, Laurent Hay, from France; Estonia's Deniss Karpak, who returned this year and placed third at the Europeans; Arkadii Kistanov, from Italy, who also returned to competitive Finn sailing this year and after a fifth place at the Europeans will be looking to go better in Cascais.
Martijn van Muyden, from The Netherlands, will be sure to make a strong challenge. Also competing are Peter Peet, also from The Netherlands, the World No.3 and the 2023 European Masters Champion; World No. 6, David Terol, from Spain, World No. 7, Nick Craig, from Britain, World No. 8, Kristóf Kaiser, from Hungary, and World No. 10, Bas de Waal from The Netherlands.
Francisco Brito e Abreu, President of the Clube Naval de Cascais, said, "We are all very happy and proud to welcome all sailors, teams, and supporters at Clube Naval de Cascais for the 2025 Finn Gold Cup.
"Cascais has long been regarded as the home of sailing in Portugal - a place where the Atlantic winds, the beauty of our coastline, and the passion of our community come together to create the perfect stage for world-class competition. We are especially honoured to once again host this prestigious event of this iconic class, which carries such a special history in our waters.
"Clube Naval de Cascais first welcomed the Finn Gold Cup in 1970, a remarkable edition that still holds the record for the largest fleet in the history of the championship, with 160 sailors. Nearly four decades later, in 2007, Cascais hosted again the Finn Gold Cup as part of the ISAF Sailing World Championships, bringing together the very best of Olympic classes in an unforgettable celebration of our sport.
"We wish you all good winds and memorable days of sailing on this third edition of the Finn Gold Cup in Cascais."
It will be a busy time in Cascais. An IFA organised training camp for the U29 sailors is already under way in Cascais followed by the Portuguese Nationals, and then a measurement seminar prior to the Finn Gold Cup.
Equipment Inspection and registration gets under way on Saturday 30 August, with a 10-race series running from Tuesday 2 September to Saturday 6 September. At the end of the week there will be a brand-new Finn world champion for the absolutely iconic Finn Gold Cup.
Find out more on the event website.