Please select your home edition
Edition
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.

Related Articles

You just gotta love a good algorithm
So, I opened up YouTube, and there it was. Could not believe my luck, actually. So, I opened up YouTube, and there it was. Could not believe my luck, actually. The algorithm had coughed up something I really wanted to watch. Yes, I know it means Big Brother is watching and listening.Also, every key stroke is being recorded. Posted on 7 Sep
Carbon or Steel?
Moth Foil Evolution with Alex Adams Foils have been shrinking for years as sailors continually try to reduce drag and increase speeds, but designers were reaching the limit of what they could do with carbon, so the latest foils have turned to steel for some parts. Posted on 7 Sep
Unboxing the Bieker Moth with Kyle Stoneham
A look 'below decks' at the hidden control systems on Kyle's International Moth Why are all the ropes hidden on all the latest International Moths? It's all about aerodynamic efficiency as the boats get faster and faster. As we find out with Kyle, there are also some very clever systems under the carbon covers. Posted on 6 Sep
The Age of Steel in the Land of Rock
The International Moth class is never standing still This week the Moths have gathered in Torquay at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club for the UK Championship, and the discussion is all about steel. Posted on 3 Sep
From vision to reality
The XR 41's journey from sketch to World Champion In 2023 I took part in my first X-Yachts Gold Cup at Aarhus in Denmark. It was a glorious event, balancing fun and competition perfectly, and was a weekend where new friendships were formed with sailors who I continue to chat with regularly. Posted on 2 Sep
Championship winning at 9 years old!
Benjamin Pascoe completes a remarkable 2000 Nationals at Hayling Island The 2000 class have just had a superb National Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club. 59 boats competed in the ten race series with fresh winds and big waves on the opening day, followed by three days of lighter and shift north easterlies. Posted on 28 Aug
Why we need VMG and VMC
On The Ocean Race Europe Tracker The Ocean Race Europe Tracker has just had an update thanks to PredictWind, and now looks at routing for the boats, but it doesn't yet have VMG or VMC. Posted on 27 Aug
Yet more 'F' word
One of the enduring joys of this gig is circling back One of the enduring joys of this gig is circling back. This is no more especially so than when you get to see the plan unfold. Posted on 25 Aug
Blurring the line between sport and entertainment
It's a simple reality that the voyeur in all of us is drawn to crashes Crashes gain clicks. It's a simple reality that the voyeur in all of us is drawn to situations where things have gone spectacularly wrong. Posted on 18 Aug
Double Trouble during Sassnitz SailGP Practice
Brazil hull collapses and French rudder flies off There was drama in Sassnitz during SailGP practice racing as firstly the French SailGP Team's starboard rudder broke off during a windward mark bear away, and then on the same leg Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team nose dived, with the main crossbeam collapsing. Posted on 15 Aug