British Moth Open at Medley Sailing Club

by Tim Davison and Sue Ledwith 12 Jun 2003 08:53 BST

Photos © Richard Jones

The British Moth is one of a family of 11ft single-handed dinghies stemming from an American design of the 1930s and counting the International Moth among its siblings. With a small but enthusiastic following, this idiosyncratic and over-canvassed dinghy catches the slightest zephyr and becomes positively riotous above force 3, behaviour which tends to confine it to rivers and other inland waters.

A record 23 British Moths hit the line at the Moth open meeting on the Thames at Medley, Oxford, on Sunday June 8th. In blustery, changeable conditions the racing was fast and keen with an excellent turn out of visitors. For the first time for many years, Moth champion Godfrey Clarke was absent, and in the final results, the home sailors took the top six places, with Tim Davison sweeping the board, and in winning the magnificent silver Moth Bowl trophy, fulfilling a childhood ambition for the second year running.

The opening race was sailed in a blustery southerly with a committee boat start above the Perch Inn where the river widens. Ian Haywood (815, Why Not) shot the line closely pursued by Tim Davison (834, Moonlight Mouse). Helped no doubt by the previous night’s curry, Davison blasted past him and held on to win. Pete Styles and Roli Huggins diced for the rest of the race, with Styles sneaking in for second place.

In race two Tina Hardyment was over the line leaving Roli Huggins to break first. Davison passed him in the first flat patch and went on to win. Visitor Julian Gardiner (829) from Haversham was second and Roli Huggins third.

For the third race, the OOD set an upriver, reaching start. Force 6 gusts and a brace of narrowboats made this even more interesting! Davison blasted off the leeward end and led from start to finish, closely followed by Ian Miller and David Cannon. Robert Paynter overtook David, so the finish order was Davison, Miller and Paynter.

In the final race, Tina Hardyment popped out of the reaching start and led for most of the race, eventually being caught by Davison, who had swum twice, when a squall hit the fleet. Roli Huggins finished third. A great turn out and a great day’s sailing.

Overall Results:

Pos	Helm	Sail No	Boat Name
1	Tim Davison	BM 834	Moonlight Mouse
2	Roli Huggins	BM 831	Topsy
3	David Cannon	BM 830	Thera
4	Peter Styles	BM 820	Orgasmoth
5	Tina Hardyment	BM 823	Wraith
6	Robert Paynter	BM 717	If
Ladies	Tina Hardyment
Veterans	Tim Davison
Moth Bowl	Tim Davison
Practice Race	Roli Huggins

Thanks to all the sailors and the Medley team who helped made it a grand event once again. As Julian Gardiner said in his thanks from the visitors, for those used to sailing on lakes, it was certainly an educational day. Thanks to: Jonathan Jones and Peter Trowles (ODs); Brian Coates and Laurie Dutton (launch), Pru Dickson, Sue Ledwith and Sue Pfunder (catering) and the many helpers.