International Moth UK Grand Prix Series Round 1 at Queen Mary Sailing Club

The weather had been turned on for the first day of the Queen Mary International Moth Grand Prix with wall-to-wall sunshine and plenty of wind.

The race officer made use of the spit across the reservoir being partially removed to give plenty of room to get a decent size course even if it still required four laps at Moth speed. With so many laps in each of the four races boat handling was at a premium especially with a few thousand tonnes of concreate to prevent anybody trying for a one tack beat.

Race one took a while to sort out the order as no matter how far behind you were, the shifty winds meant there was always an opportunity to get back to the front. Eventually it was Eddie Bridle who popped out the front to take the win closely followed by James Gray.

The second race saw Simon Hiscocks return to his winning ways that led him to dominate the last event. This time Eddie had to settle for the runners up spot followed by Alex Adams.

International Moth UK Grand Prix Series Round 1 at Queen Mary - photo © Alex Barone

The next race started with a general recall, unfortunately by the time the rib carrying the flag could catch the fleet the leaders were half way up the second beat much to the disappointment of Benjamin Clegg who up to that point was showing the fleet the way. When the race got under way again it was James who took the win fending off a fast-charging Simon coming in to the finish at a hot angle.

The last race of the day saw Kyle Stoneham leap to front in his new Exploder but with little time on the water yet he suffered in the tacks letting Eddie through to take his second win of the day and with it the overnight lead.

For the second day the weather had definitely been turned off in almost all senses no sun, no heat and almost no wind but at least it wasn't raining. With little wind and little prospect of wind but a fleet of boats in the starting area it was agreed by all to run a race even it didn't count which was won by Alex.

The wind built just enough for a bit of foiling so the race team got a start in. Although there was occasional foiling in the gusts there was a lot of low riding going on. James got away to win while Eddie was the only one to find enough wind to foil on the last leg and went from eighth to second in the dying moments.

With the fleet's lowriding quota completed, everybody headed in leaving James the winner on countback from Eddie with Alex in third. With a selection of Biekers, Thinairs, Rockets and Exploders in the mix it only shows it doesn't matter what you sail as long as you are on right shift.

Our next Open is the Inland Nationals at Grafham Water SC on April 23/24 followed by round 2 of the UK Grand Prix series at Stokes Bay May 14/15. Follow the UK Moth Class for the season ahead at www.internationalmoth.co.uk and at www.facebook.com/MothClassUK

Overall Results: