International Moths in the Powerman at Parkstone Yacht Club

Norman (the dog) prefers the Moth to his usual place on the RIB © Helen Rollinson

Things looked light on Saturday morning which was a particular concern to Rod Harris who had a bet with a 49er team for a round after sailing, saying he would beat the 49er. They had made a bold claim that the 49er was faster then a foiling moth!

When the moths launched almost 2 hours before racing it was obviously marginal but generally foiling conditions. Rod however was still nervous of his bet as it was hard to get good angles to remain on the foils.

Race 1 saw Alex Adams lead from the pin end and lead at the windward closely followed by Gary and then Rod. But it was Rod’s downwind speed that led to the top 3 positions reversing down the first run. Rod then proceeded to do a horizon job on the fleet up the next beat. Meanwhile the rest of the fleet stopped somewhat short of the horizon and went round the windward mark leaving Gary to take the gun. But what of the 49er? They finished some minutes back, one assumes they stopped to do their nails or something...

Race 2 was a battle between Alex and Gary or though Gary never gave up lead of the race and Rod then almost got Alex on the finish. Race 3 however was held in much more marginal conditions. Gary dominated this one with Rod on his tail for the first lap but then as the wind switched off Rod began to loose touch luckily then the wind piped up enough to keep clear of the 49er.

Back on the shore 49er sailors switched tack and claimed it was a bet for handicap victory, but that still went 2-1 to Rod!

Sunday was the day of the Powerman: a morning health inspection checking sailors weights, hydration levels, body fat and even muscle mass showed the interesting result that Alex was the most muscular, 0.4% ahead of Gary.

The wind again was light and the harbour with all the traffic to negotiate was going to be tricky. Gary got away well opening an early lead clearly becoming very at home in Poole harbour. However the wind dropped on the approach to the harbour entrance. Gary managed to get through still in the lead but it was Mike Cooke who made the big gains getting into the breeze fast and getting in to a solid second place. Andrew Friend lost out while having a pick nick on a small island after having demonstrated devastating boat speed. The first 2 gained some big separation after the next boats were trapped by the train ferry.

Out in the bay there was a great swell running challenging everyone. The wind however was very tricky and it was found foiling was easy on port tack but on starboard it was almost impossible Rod was able to pull through into second at the top mark. The downwind was some of the best sailing imaginable; blue water, blue sky, and all the surfing you could ask for. Alex pulled through to third before a finish off Sandbanks. Gary was a deserving victor proving muscle isn’t everything in Moth sailing! On handicap the Powerman trophy went to the Laser4000.

Norman the dog, having spent the day on the rib with Helen Rollinson who suffered a flap malfunction during race 1, joined Rod on his Prowler for the sail home getting his first taste of foiling and clearly feeling very at home on a Moth!