T
he postponed and pandemic struck Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is scheduled to open on July 22. Due to the pandemic, it will be a very different Games for everyone, but the racing on the water will be as tough as ever. Racing runs from July 27 to August 3 with just 19 Finn sailors taking part as athlete numbers continue to be reduced.
have proven ability to take home major events and win medals. Another nine have strong medal potential but have not been on best form recently. While defending champion Giles Scott still has a target on his back, he will have a very hard time to win back-to-back Olympics. He has not won a major event since the 2019 Europeans, while the likes of Josh Junior, Zsombor Berecz and Joan Cardona are growing in confidence and have made the headlines – usually reserved for Scott – at recent events. Nicholas Heiner has been pushing the front for the last four years, but has been a bit inconsistent this year despite lots of race wins. However, if the week in Most of the fleet were selected at the 2018 Finn Enoshima goes his way, he will be pushing for gold. Gold Cup in Aarhus and 2019 Europeans in Athens, with The other nine medal contenders are a mix of the rest from continental qualifiers. Looking at form, the former World and European champions together with fleet can be split into three distinct groups. Five sailors a lot of young talent at their first or second Olympics. All them are quite capable of medalling. The key factors in Tokyo will be coping the extreme heat, not getting distracted by the COVID restrictions and requirements, and being adjustable to the many different conditions expected in Enoshima, from light, shifty and tidal days to huge swells and strong winds. Shifting gears day to day and race to race will be essential for success, as will a flexible mindset. There is no real form for the venue; no one, apart from Japanese will have trained there since the 2019 test event, an unheard of phenomenon at an ARG - FACUNDO OLEZZA AUS - JAKE LILLEY BRA - JORGE ZARIF Olympic venue, but perhaps also a great equaliser for those on After 16 months with no Second Olympics for Olezza after Tokyo will be Zarif's third Olympic limited travel budgets. a ninth in Rio where he won two international competition, Lilley appearance after a fourth on Whatever else happens, races. Has been at the front of the picked up an eighth place at the home waters in 2016 and a 20th this will be an historic Olympic fleet since then, though a major Europeans and a seventh at the in 2012. He became the only Games for many reasons, not Finn Gold Cup. Tokyo will be his win or medal has escaped him. person to win the Finn Silver Cup least because it could well be second Olympics after finishing Placed a lowly 14th and 15th at and Finn Gold Cup in the same the last Olympic Games where this year's major championships. eighth in Rio. year in 2013. the only truly remaining Olympic boat is being used.
TOKYO 2020 PREVIEW
CAN - TOM RAMSHAW After a lowly 21st in Rio, Ramshaw bounced back strongly with a string of top places including fifth at the Aarhus Sailing World Championship in 2018. Good at starting and closing out regattas, but inconsistent in the middle. 27th in Gold Cup and 10th at Europeans.
10
FINNFARE JULY 2021
CHN - TBD The Chinese representative is still unannounced as this issue goes to print. He Chen, above, won selection for China at the Ready Steady Tokyo test event in 2019, but it is not confirmed who will sail for China at the Olympics.
ESP - JOAN CARDONA Qualified for Tokyo at the incredibly tough and competitive Finn Gold Cup in Porto with a spectacular second place. A three time U23 European Champion as well, he is one of sailing's most exciting young talents and a definite contender for a medal. Will be the youngest in Tokyo.
GBR - GILES SCOTT After dominating the quad into Rio 2016, his preparation for Tokyo has been more fragmented because of America's Cup commitments. However he is defending Olympic Champion, and has four Finn Gold Cups under his belt, and still the most successful sailor in the fleet.
