Sunday 13 April 2008

Crash Test Dummy

That was me today.

I finally had my first go on the Moth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We rose early, I danced around with excitement, then we arrived at the sailing club to what was forecast as 10-12 knots. But there was nothing. After some waiting, a coffee with Matt, then more debating, the southerly filled in and we decided it was time to hit the water.

Lucky for me Matt decided to come along and help out, so the two of us putted out into Rose Bay in the tinnie while John sailed the Moth. Then it was time for me to jump on.

You know what - it's hard!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as I was concerned I was crap. But apparently I did OK. I can tell you there were a lot of crashes, swimming and drinking about 10 litres of Sydney Harbour. But it was also FUN!!!

WOOOHOOO!!!!!! With a big smile on my face as we took off. Literally.

John sailed two-up with me so I could kind of get the hang of it and help me when we (frequently) capsized. Climbing back in I am too short to grab the mainsheet... although I am sure it's just my lack of technique.

Anyway, we had a few good rides in the gusty 12-14 knots. And now I understand what John means when he says that sailing a foiling moth is the opposite to normal sailing!

As soon as it's out of the water it just takes off... at speeeeeeeddddd. And the strangest thing of all is that it's totally silent. There are no waves gently kissing the hull... there is nothing (apart from me going wooohooo!). Then the crash!

There are no photos to prove that I took it on. But I sure have the bruises to show!

I can't wait to have another go!

2 comments:

Hepialidae said...

Congratulations Alex! Keep it up, we need more members of the fairer sex in mothing!

Anonymous said...

Omedetto, Alex-Sama, So very glad that the other-half of World Champion John Harris is ready willing and able to Keep-Foilborne. Look forward to more up-dates and the Joyfull Sailing/Foiling that you can share with us about your "Take-Off and Maintaing Future Foiling/Flying Experiences. Maybe you are training with awesome pilot Sam England,or perhaps the next Gifted-n-Talented "wahine" test-pilots; Yes "I Do" agree with "Hepialidae" the more "polished-numbers" of na Wahine we have Taking-Off and maintaining Controlled-Flight the sooner we will see a young lady as Internationale Moth Foiler World Champion. Gambarre Nei and Imua Ka Kou, Connect All the Dots and Break that/this 30 knots plus barrier. GOD-Speed for you and John- Again no-Forget Have the "Given" Surfilicious-Day. (JMC) Iruka-san.