The Moth Class is still growing! After a breakthrough year in 2009, hosting and winning the World Championships and establishing fleets around the country, the US Moth Class is continuing to add boats, and enthusiasm has never been higher. A record 24 boats attended the Gill Pacific Coast Championships this weekend in Coronado, with several new faces, and lots of boats really raising their game.
On Friday the wind never really filled in, and there were 3 rather light races; a mix of marginal foiling, semi-foiling and non-foiling conditions. Saturday had great wind, and six ripping races were held, providing perfect conditions for the new Mothies to figure out foiling, and awesome racing throughout the fleet. Sunday was a little lighter but still excellent racing, the most competitive racing the US fleet has ever had. It was a tired but happy fleet that returned to Coronado Yacht Club last night!
The winner was never really in doubt. Rolex Yachtman of the Year Bora Gulari has continued to improve since his historic World Championship win last year, and he proved nearly unbeatable by winning 11 of 14 races. Dalton Bergan has also been working hard, and was a close second in most races, and winning two. It was a great battle for third, with the winter training and preparation of George Peet an even match for the regatta savvy of Charlie McKee. In the end, Charlie nipped George for the last podium spot, with Jonathan McKee rounding out the top 5. Bora also won the slalom competition on Saturday, just getting around Dalton at the finish.
While the top 10 were mostly Moth veterans, there were some new faces putting in excellent performances. Chris Rast was very fast at times and will soon be near the top of the fleet. Anthony Boscolo had a great regatta to finish 12th. Nat Shaver was very impressive with his home built boat to take 14th. Matt McKinlay, Tony Beale, Jimmer Montgomery, Dan Kaselar and JJ Fetter all improved a lot and are great additions to the group. There was fantastic racing throughout the fleet, and the spirit of cooperation and the free flow of information will only help everyone improve more quickly. This attitude is especially evident among the top group, with Bora, Dalton, George, Charlie and all the veterans willing to help out everyone get up to speed. So we are all progressing much more rapidly than we otherwise would!
The next stop on the Moth tour is the Gill Moth US Nationals in Kaneohe, Hawaii in late February. From there 5 of the top boats will represent the United States at the World Championships in Dubai in March. The US fleet will also have regattas in Long Beach in April, in the Gorge in June and July, and the North Americans in Harbor Springs, Michigan in August. For more information go to www.int-moth.us.
