Predictwind Moth Worlds: Entries open for entering the world's top solo foiling dinghy championship
by Sam Barnett 13 Jun 2024 09:23 BST
Iain Jensen (AUS) - 2021 International Moth World Championship - Lake Garda, Italy - September 2021 © Martina Orsini
Returning to New Zealand for the first time in 35 years, the Moth Worlds is scheduled for 30 December 2024 - 9 January 2025 at Manly Sailing Club. The Moth Worlds attracts the best sailors on the planet to compete as individuals on the 11ft (3.35m) long hydrofoiling dinghy, which is raced at speeds above 30 knots.
The Moth precedes the America’s Cup in foiling by over a decade and has benefited from and contributed to the innovation and development that has made both events faster. Every Moth World Champion from the last 10 years is currently building up to the America's Cup as part of one of the six sailing teams.
PredictWind is the premier weather forecasting tool for sailors. Born out of America’s Cup technology and developed in New Zealand, PredictWind is a very suitable partner for the Manly SC to bring on board leading up to the Moth Worlds.
Jon Bilger from PredictWind explained why they wanted to be involved: “PredictWind's foundation is rooted in the America’s Cup, which is seen as the pinnacle of sailing. We recognize the International Moth Class as another sailing pinnacle, drawing in top-tier sailors from around the globe, making this sponsorship a natural fit for us.
"Many of us at PredictWind share a passion for foiling, and we're eagerly looking forward to seeing the world’s best sailors showing their skills at the Moth Worlds in Manly. Personally, I have a strong relationship with the wonderful people at the Manly Sailing Club, and I'm delighted to support them in hosting this event.”
He was also able to give us an enticing preview of what kind of weather sailors can hope for during the event: “The weather off Manly in early January often gives us a gradient south-westerly wind, in the 10-20 knot range. This direction will challenge sailors, with the breeze coming off the land and varying in direction and strength, rewarding those who can link the shifts and pressure together.
"If we get a high pressure system sitting over the top of the North Island and some early warm, sunny, summer weather, we may see the north-east sea breezes later in the afternoons. This is a much more steady breeze that will lean more to a boat speed race. This breeze tends to follow the sun, often trending left throughout the later afternoon.”
Organisation for the Worlds is well underway, with sponsors coming on board to support the event, entries open and rolling in, volunteers coming together to contribute to make it a success and sailors around the world developing their skills and equipment to be ready at the end of the year.
The first few entries are of an exceptional calibre, with Olympic, Sail GP and America’s Cup experience. Amongst this group is Australian Iain Jensen, twice a medallist at the Moth Worlds, Olympic Champion in the 49er in London and mainsail trimmer for INEOS in the America’s Cup.
Iain explained why he has got his entry in - “I’ve sailed the Moth for a long time on and off and always love to come back to it. It’s a great class to help understand what makes a boat go fast and gives room for innovation. The racing is always really competitive and fun and the people involved are great. I’ve been focused on the America's Cup since the last Moth Worlds I competed in (2021), but have got a few sessions in my Exploder over the last few years. I really enjoyed my time in Auckland for the Cup and was keen to lock in early for this Worlds.”
Entries are open now at www.mothworlds.org/and potential volunteers and sponsors are requested to please email