International Moth Open at Parkstone Yacht Club

Flying Moths at Parkstone © David Harding / www.sailingscenes.co.uk

Flying Moths at Parkstone © David Harding / www.sailingscenes.co.uk

The WHY Jewellers Parkstone YC Moth Open was preceded by a forecast of marginal foiling conditions, yet 25 moths turned out for the event at Poole over the weekend of 12/13th June.

As the fleet got to the racing area they realized how misleading forecasts can be; a gusty northerly force 4 greeted them for the days proceedings.

The first race saw Jason Russell late out the start going to the right where he picked up good pressure to lead round the mark followed by Mike Lennon who opted for the left hand side of the course. It was noticeable how the standard of the fleet had improved following the recent training in Spain with racing becoming increasing close; too close sometimes as Richard Lovering incurred a collision at the leeward mark putting pay to the rest of his weekend. Jason Russell stamped his authority on the race followed by Mike and Jason Belben.

For the second race the wind strengthened, despite this the conditions remained manageable and many recorded some of their personal best speeds with few fatalities. Mike got out the traps early and led from the start followed by Ricky Tagg. The two Jason’s had a good tussle screaming into the finish a boat length apart at 20 Knots +

The final race of the day looked to be a replay of the previous with Mike out in front followed by Jason B until the wind cut out at the windward mark leaving Jason to catch the last gust to take him round the windward mark and foil to the leeward while the rest of the fleet low rided. Jason B went on to win followed by Jason R , after making some bold down wind tactics, and then Mike.

Sunday dawned with no wind and a down beat fill after the previous nights England Match, this was soon dispelled by a wind kicking in from the South West on a glorious sunny Poole Harbour. We all ventured out the marina fully powered up expecting the wind to slowly drop off during the day, but far from it a steady south west force 4+ remained throughout.

Mike and Jason R had a close 4th race with Mike eventually winning, new comer Ben Paton put in a good performance posting a 4th. The 5th race showed much the same form with Mike 1st, Jason R 2nd and Paul Hayden 3rd.

The final race was once more a battle between Mike and Jason R but this time Jason coming out on top as Mike lost his all critical paddle off the end of his control wand with Ricky Tagg 3rd. This left for a most entertaining downwind ride back to the club along the channel as the cruisers and powerboats came back in the harbour.

Thanks to WHY Jewellers (Rod Harris) for stepping up to sponsor and organise what was a well run and enjoyable event.

More pictures at www.chalys.com/sponsorship/2010-chalys-moth-open-parkstone or www.oceanimages.co.uk/gallery/dinghies/parkstonemothopenjune2010

Overall Results: