International Moth Grand Prix at Queen Mary Sailing Club

Dan Ellis (1st), Dave Hivey (2nd) in the Queen Mary International Moth Grand Prix © Paul Gliddon

The first event of the 2018 season saw 10 competitors arrive at Queen Mary Sailing Club on Saturday along with a handful of class groupies whose boats were in transit to Bermuda for the Moth Worlds starting in a fortnight.

The forecast for the day was perfect for the fleet and racing kicked off in a building 10 knots. Dan Ellis showed good form right from the start and demonstrated some great boat handling skills in the normal, shifty conditions of offer. With the water temperature only being a couple of degrees, and the laws of physics having not changed since last years event, there were a few harsh reminders to those trying to push the limits of their foils. As the wind built through the day, positions changed regularly through the fleet as those who hadn't chosen a slightly more conservative approach crashed down or capsized.

Casualty of the day was Alex Hayman, who after vomiting as he launched, and on the way to the race course, retired half way up the first beat and headed for the warm club house ready to get his seat for the rugby. He handed his 'peppermint green' boat and wetsuit over to one of his two support crew from Maguire Boats. Jim Macmillan wasn't so distracted by the colour and put in a consistent performance in his borrowed boat, before handing the wetsuit back for some Army grade disinfecting.

Overnight leader with four race wins was Dan, closely followed by Dave Hivey.

Sailors turned up on Sunday to a light easterly breeze and in the marginal foiling conditions Dave Hivey was first to take race win as he started to get used to his new lemon boat, showing Dan that he would have to work a little bit harder for the overall win.

The second race of the day most sailors will be trying to forget as the fickle breeze left a large number of the fleet low-riding their way around the course, with patches of breeze that allowed some occasional bursts of speed.

A great battle was taking place further down the fleet, one that many mothies who have upgraded to a newer boat fear... being beaten by your old boat. David Jessop made some valiant attempts to steal a race, but alas Andrew Jarvis did a better job staying in front, leaving David wondering was the extra cash worth it.

Dan managed to get another race win under his belt and most of the fleet at this point headed towards the beach as it seemed like the breeze was dying further.

A short wait saw the wind build to a freshening 10 knots and the podium sailors decided to finish with a couple of medal races. Yet again Dan took the win, closely followed by Paul, leaving Dave in third. The final race saw Dave lead from the start, leaving Paul determined to fight off Dan and successfully taking another second with Dan taking an unfamiliar third place.

Congratulations go to Dan Ellis for winning the Grand Prix and thanks go to Queen Mary Sailing Club for hosting such a great event.

With a an exciting UK GP series and a number of International events planned for 2018, anyone interested in joining the International Moth class is encouraged to get in touch via the UK Class website at www.internationalmoth.co.uk or follow the class on facebook here.

Next UK event coming up will be Grafham in April.

Overall Results: