The king is dead… long live the king…
Maybe the title is a bit over the top, but foil god Rohan Veal looks to have
been well and truly beaten at the latest Garda European Moth
Champs. Simon Payne
and Adam May fought out the series, with Rohan finishing well
behind on points in a mediocre 3rd.
Now that’s not to take anything away from 3rd, or Rohan… but it’s
a long way from an 8-0 whitewash in the World Championships in
January.
It will be interesting to find out the reasons why…
Update #1:
What I’ve found out so far:
Conditions were marginal, and both Simon & Adam are in the
low to mid 60’s, a few kgs lighter than Rohan. Although the Brits
reported strong winds, it didn’t get over 15 knots.
Rohan’s latest MSL10 is smaller and flatter than the MSL9,
which isn’t going to help in marginal conditions.
Simon & Adam have been sailing their foilers almost
full-time, with Simon taking a sabbatical from work and Adam
sailing between coaching time. Rohan hasn’t raced since the Worlds
and only had his new boat for a week before the regatta.
Rohan wasn’t too happy with his foils, taking the hacksaw to
his rudder blade after the practice race. Hardly a sign of someone
confident with their gear.
While the Euros think the KAs are the fastest sails at the
moment, they’re not happy with the leech laying off in light winds,
the cost and the materials, so they’re looking to do something for
themselves.
