15 May 2008
The CST Composites International Moth World Championships 2008 will be held between the 5th and 11th July at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy in the United Kingdom.
The event is tipped to have the largest fleet of Foiler Moths ever assembled.
The 2007 Champion and ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2007 nominee Rohan Veal will not be competing in the event to defend his title, however, there is still almost two months until the event so this could change.
There is wide speculation doing the internet rounds as to who will win this year, and by all reports the top 15 competitors are all in with a good chance. This should make for a spectacular regatta with the final winner worthy of the crown.
Being held in the UK, there will be a strong contingent of Pommies doing their thing, however, there will be competitors flying in from around the world – Australia, Austria, USA, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and many more. Event organisers are predicting over 100 boats which will make for a spectacular event.
With the Aussies taking out the Ashes in 2007, the Pommies look to be attempting a come-back. Competition will be stiff.
Apart from the usual rivalry between countries, the big competition will be between the different boat designs – will it be a Bladerider whitewash like last year? Or has Prowler done enough design changes to take them on? Or will the new Velociraptor blow them all away at it's first outing? Then there are the Home Builders who always do the class proud with their creative designs.
Contenders for the crown include Simon Payne (GBR), 2006 World Champion and 3rd in 2007; Scott Babbage (AUS), 2nd in 2007; Adam May (GBR), 3rd in 2006 and designer of the Velociraptor; Andrew McDougall (AUS), 6th in 2007 and designer of the Bladerider; newcomer Bora Gulari (USA) who is putting in hours on the water; Graham Vials (GBR) who is always a contender for the title; another newcomer Mat Belcher (AUS) who recently won the Australian Championships despite being new to the class.
For a taste of what is to come, please see attached photo from the 2007 International Moth World Championships held on Lake Garda, Italy.
If you would like any further information, please visit the International Moth Class Association web site at www.moth-sailing.org or contact the Media Officer for the event – Alexandra Harris at alex@sailingbits.com
Photo by Alexandra Harris, Lake Garda Italy 2007.
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