International Moth End of Season Championship Runners & Riders

Moths at Rutland © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

The International Moth's 2026 season is concluding in its 'Northern Base' of Rutland Sailing Club.

The class is growing fast, with new faces joining the fleet, new boats being built, old ones being upcycled and steel foils becoming commonplace.

But among this change, innovation and growth who are the runners and riders to close out the season strong?

The Championship will have a number of prize categories:

• Overall Podium
• Carbon Podium
• Unmodified Winner
• Masters Winner

The highly affordable Exocet is a dangerous machine, they are forgiving to sail, quick, and have lots of upgrades available.

David Jessop - Class legend David Jessop is often at the sharp end of the fleet sailing his Exocet Dirty Martini, with strong boat handling and tactical genius he will be looking to win the Carbon prize.

Grant Blake - The new kid on the block - Grant Blake, racing KA-CHOW. Grant made a name for himself at the national championships, disrupting the natural order whilst also infamously crashing into marker buoys. He has just placed 2nd at the K6 nationals, so he has pedigree - but can he foil tack and challenge Jessop?

Paul Myerscough - Paul Myerscough is from the proper north, racing his famous blue Exocet - Paul hasn't been seen recently, but is always a danger, especially when the breeze is up. He is a high speed expert across foiling sports - speed is not a problem - but could race rustiness slip him up?

Phil Rees - The Exocets are a strong group, however, rumours of Phil Rees collecting a Bieker V2 from France has sent a shiver down the spine of the fleet, he was already blisteringly quick in the Exocet - but can he control the much twichier Bieker?

The carbon sailors will be joined by newcomers Peter Slack, Thomas Garner and Raymond Nisbet, who will also be looking to make a name for themselves.

Much of the fleet is moving to steel foils, upgrades are becoming more cost effective - steel riders:

Andrew Friend - Andrew Friend, builder of beautiful boats and assembler of metal foils is looking to showcase his craftsmanship. If he can get his stripped ship Cinderella performing to her full potential, he will be quick.

Callum Wyper - Callum is bringing a lot of upgrades, including a stunning new wing package and a steel rudder. Callum finished 3rd at the Northern Championships on carbon foils and unmodified wings in March...he will be one to watch for the overall title this time. See this reel on Instagram.

Joe Adams - Having spent the year tuning his Exploder V2, Joe comes into the event off a strong performance in Loch Lomond, he has been putting in hours on the water and he could trouble the podium at Rutland.

Kyle Stoneham - Kyle narrowly missed out on the National title to Henry Wetherall in July. He won the Northern Championships in March and is coming into this event as a clear favourite in his Bieker V3. See this reel on Instagram.

Alex Adams - Alex is rarely outside the podium positions in his Aerocet. He put in a strong performance in Weymouth at the nationals and has the boat tuned to perfection ready to close out the season strong.

Hometown heroes: Matt Lea and James Sainsbury

As host club, Rutland Sailing Club is not messing about, both its top sailors Matt Lea and James Sainsbury will be attending and will be on steel foils. They have been practicing full time since their strong showing in Loch Lomond for the Scottish Championships. They have the best equipment and the local knowledge, the home team will be tough to beat.

Follow along on social media Moth Class UK for updates on the racing, great videos, thrills, spills and the most exciting sailing in the world.

To learn more about how to join the class - get in touch: internationalmoth.co.uk/contact