- So where is the audience?

The Open Europeans 2011 have been on for almost a week. The weather in Hernesaari, Helsinki has ranged from searing hot to cloudy - without the meatballs. The conditions have been quite typical for a Finnish summer. So the lack of spectators can't be explained with the weather.

The most logical explanation, and quite obvious to us Finns, is the summer holiday season. So, the sailing, that most of my countrymen are interested in is sailing or rowing to their summer cottages.

Us Finns have some kind of genetical urge to seek out solitude during our summer vacations. In fact I also do feel that call of the wild in the middle of these international competitions. I can imagine the setting sun reflecting from the calm water.

In the 80's and 90's it was said that Finland is closed during July because everybody is on vacation. So, if you think we are negligent of sailing that is not the case. We are just at the mercy of our Finnish genes.

Article Author Jouni Vuorinen 6/7/2011 09:59