Is it a Monster? Is it a Pie Monstaaaaaaaa??
So the weight myth. Old Sailing Anarchy have put loads of things out saying the optimum weight of the moth class has gone up, I think there was something about it on one of Bruces’ pod casts as well but I might be imagining that. Maybe that was what was behind the secret how to go fast bit??
I guess this all stemmed from two heavy weights winning in Weymouth and the US. Lots of people were saying that Dave Lister was two to one faster than people at the Aus nationals last year, but has this really got to do with weight? Dave has obviously got an uncanny understanding about hydrofoils and set up but he still did not win. Nathan won and Simon was going like a train as far as the internet reads, but was that the boat? And if he was heavier and in the only Mach two at the Aus nats would he have won?
Both Weymouth and the US were nuclear windy and as it went uprange the light weights were struggling to hold on up the first work, but were they? The only real heavy weights in the top 15 were Kevin and Bora? If Bora comes to Dubai and blows everyone away then big fat kudos to him cause he will deserve that down to the ground.
I personally think that the lighter air regatta in Dubai will actually offer much closer racing that we had in the precession that was Weymouth or amazing place changing event we had in the USA. I also think a light weight will win it, by a long way!
I was thinking about this for no particular reason. Does the US or Australia have the best fleet??
The US guys had a lot of boats in the top 15 with Brad and Kevin the only ones on BR, while all the rest were in Mach 2. The Aussies had the same number in the top 15 but three of those were in BR and only two were in a Mach two.
Europe are not particularly good at the moment within the global fleet. Who will be the best at the Dubai worlds? I am guessing that the aussies will be best in their back yard so thats a boring argument.
However, If you look at the top five there were two American’s in Mach two’s and Two Europeans in Mach two’s with one Aussie in BR. So does that mean it goes America, Europe, Australia??
Just thinking…….
Road tripped it to Muscat this weekend just gone to deliver my BR to Corky Rhodes. The trip there was a bit of a pain in the ass. There are so many trucks in Dubai and being lazy I left the front and rear wing bars on for the ride. This makes interesting driving with lamp posts and lorries either side when you are in the fast lane chipping it at 145 km / hr.
The border took 2 hours, so we entertained ourselves by winding corky up saying they had taken the boat off us and he had to come and do a three hour drive to collect his boat at the border in person. Shame Jonny could not keep a straight face when Corky gave us the panicked phone call.
The road to Muscat is arrow straight with a few roundabouts to contend with. As anyone that puts a moth on the roof or even tows it round knows, every fucker wants to have a look and figure out what it was. Officially on the border it was an aeroplane, but most people had no idea. Jonny was driving, we were on cruise control at 140 in the outside lane. There is an art to this and not touhing any pedals at all, it consists of flashing anyone in front of you at least 100 meters away to make sure they are out the way and you can glide past. The Omani taxi’s did not play ball and i think Jonny had to step on the hooks at least 5 times in the 400 km drive. NIGHTMARE!
Anyway, delivered the boat and took Corky for his first sail. Gotta say he was pretty slick and the breeze could not have been better for a first timer. 14 / 15 knots, boardies warm water, a rib for us to video and coach from and not a soul out on the water with us. It also gave Jonny and I a chance to watch each other and do a bit of self assessment and all round sailing.
Big ups to the oman sail team and thanks for the beds!
Off on a road trip to Muscat, Oman this weekend. Leaving Dubai this afternoon and will end up down there with Corky Rhodes hopefullly in time for a few beers. Oman sail is becoming a monster of a company and monster of a presence in the Middle East for sailing. The 100 foot Arabian cat thing is down there and I am sure we will see her up here for the AC if it happens.
Elen Whats her names triamaran is also over there and doing the rounds of the ME showing herself off. The scale of what they are trying to pull off really is immense. Anyway, they will have their first moth down there as I have sold my BR to Corky. Im sure being the bro of an Olympian and ex 9er world champ he is going to pick it up pretty quick. Another good sailor in the class in the middle East.
We have been working really hard on the Moth Worlds over here. Lots of people sending boats early and coming early to train. Lots of people jumping on the want to sposnor and get involved band wagon and people offering bedrooms and spectator boats galore. I think its safe to say if you do not come then you will miss a real good event.
So a new boat for me, new shiny toy to play with and try to figure out how to make it go fast…… Its all go.
We have had world top tenner Rob Gough in Dubai over the weekend and getting involved in the gand prix. He has been absolutely ripping it up over here.
Check out the pics of him doing his thing.
Smooth Operator
Get on UP
Horizon Job
Good times.
