International Moth Open at Hayling Island Sailing Club
by Paul Brotherton 11 Jun 2007 14:11 BST
9-10 June 2007
The carbon rich Moth fleet dipped their wings into Hayling Bay on the 9th and 10th of June, the last UK event before the Worlds in Garda at the end of the month.
The Moth is close to reaching a critical mass of activity. The technology is highly sophisticated and yet gloriously simple to use. The boats are light and built with exotic materials but are robust and hard wearing. Foiling is accessible and turns a seemingly gentle day into a rip roaring, searing adventure that leaves observers wide-eyed and envious.
Saturday brought flat water and 10 to 14 knots of wind; foiling heaven, speed is easily achieved and the manoeuvres are predictable. Ideal conditions saw the full fleet foil and finish in the three races set by the Hayling Race Management Team led by Mark Woods.
At the end of racing Paul Brotherton led, courtesy of Jason Belben sailing the incorrect course in race two and Simon Payne unable to start the last race with a ripped trampoline. (Evidence of enjoying his sailing way too much and wearing out his tramp with his boney bum!)
Sunday’s earlier start and clearer skies increased the challenge, with an ebb tide and a stronger sea breeze the sea chopped up nicely. The “new to foils” sailors, copped more than the odd face full of whatever they got thrown into. As the boat skips lightly through the first few waves the serenity is matched by the violence of the boat dropping vertically as the foils clear the next wave and the boat crashes down. Nose-dives, cartwheels, somersaults and other gymnastic manoeuvres peppered the course, great action.
Belben, Payne and the youthful Sam Pascoe gave a display into what was possible, with some expert steering and rapid body movement they stayed foiling and crucially kept the foils in the water and the boat in control.
Overall Results:
1st Simon Payne
2nd Jason Belben
3rd Paul Brotherton
Simon Payne and Jason Belben both look strong going into the Worlds. The main challenge is likely to come from the Austrailian, Rohan Veal. His high profile and lofty PR campaign will need to be backed up by a clear victory in Italy. His list of excuses as to how he lost the Worlds in Denmark and his clear public conviction to the reasons why he will win this year leave no room for any error this year.