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Zhik 2024 December

Be brave and send it!

by Mark Jardine for IMCAUK 18 Jun 2023 06:30 BST 12-18 June 2023

We spoke to the talented group of female sailors competing at the 2023 Wetsuit Outlet and Zhik International Moth Worlds: Bermuda's Emily Nagel, Germany's Lisa Schweigert and Franzi Mäge, Great Britain's Josie Gliddon, Hattie Rogers and Bella Fellows and the USA's Helena Scutt.

They talked about their sailing backgrounds and route into the Moth, as well as ways you can get involved in the class.

Making your first move into the class can seem daunting, but they explain how Moth foiling camps work, and why now could be the best time ever to try one out and get involved. There are also some superb boats now available on the second-hand market at more accessible prices.

One of the most interesting sections of the discussion was on the mindset that is instilled into girls from an early age of having to 'be careful'. Breaking down this mindset and sailing a Moth is all about going for it, being brave and sending it. Things will break along the way on your journey to the full foiling fun that Moth sailing is.

The Moth class highlights skills on the water, regardless of gender, so they compete as equals with everyone on the race course. This is a must-watch discussion, highlighting important issues and explaining how sailing in the Moth class could be more achievable than you think.

There was no racing again on Saturday at the 2023 Wetsuit Outlet and Zhik International Moth World Championship. Sunday is the final day, and we're hoping we can get a bit more racing in.

Full results so far can be found here.

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