The Form
The enthusiasm for form guides leading into the Weymouth Moth Worlds has fizzled, so it’s about time to throw my hat into the ring with my usual in-depth and unbiased interpretation of the state of play.
So here goes…
Last year I wasn’t too far off the mark, although that wasn’t too hard.
This year, the game has changed.
Weymouth is not Garda. Obviously. Unfortunately. So the inherent advantages for Australians in strong winds are neutered to a large extent. Current World Champion Rohan has suggested he won’t be racing. There’s a bunch of new designs. What does it all mean?
A lot. And not much at the same time.
There’s a bunch of new faces in the game as well. As well as a bunch of rusted on contenders. Who’s going to be there at the end of the week? Let’s see.
Simon Payne (GBR)
A master at the game. Literally. #3 in Garda. #1 in Denmark. Euro Champion. Light weight. Simon has a new Prowler Zero this time after learning last year that you can’t rest on your laurels for even 12 months in this class. With the latest sails from KA (as their UK distributor) and the latest carbon rigs from CST, he has all the gear. But then so do a lot of others. Effectively retiring to take on Moth sailing full time means Simon is putting in the necessary preparation to make it all happen. I said Simon would be fighting it out with Rohan for the title last time, and I was wrong. I will say Simon will be fighting it out for the title this time.
Adam May (GBR)
Who knows what Adam will turn up to the regatta with this time. He was under-cooked at Garda and got punished for it. A nice guy who obviously knows how to race, and knows what makes boats go fast. His new involvement with Carbonology and their new Velociraptor means there’s a lot of question marks. They could blow us all away. They might need some refinement before they’re up to speed. Without knowing any specifics I’d be more inclined to go with the former.
Rohan Veal (AUS)
Sure he’s said he has retired, and probably at a good time to keep his status as the god of foiling. I think the championship is well within reach of Rohan’s ability, regardless of his preparation. He could turn up with a roto-moulded plastic Bladerider and still win races. And he probably will.
Andrew McDougall (AUS)
I’m sure he’s put some thought into making his boat go. I’m sure he’ll be blazingly quick as usual. Weymouth will be a bit kinder on his equipment than Garda was, so perhaps he’ll have less alphabet on the scorecard than he did last time around - alphabet which cost him 3rd place. There’s no doubt Amac will be competitive. Can he win? Probably. Will he win?
Graham Vials (GBR)
One of the strongest prospects for the title. Again silent in the lead up to the event. In a boat that doesn’t fall apart, he will be dangerous. His equipment let him down in what otherwise could’ve been a podium finish last year. Although he’s won some events in the UK recently, his setup didn’t look brilliant. As one of the least-regular Moth bloggers, who knows what his preparation has been like. I’m sure he’ll get the full support of team Bladerider, so he’ll be a contender. No doubt there.
So they’re the old guard of foiling. The early adopters who’ve been at the top for a while. What about the newcomers.
Mat Belcher (AUS)
It’s a rare event for a newcomer to win the Australian Championship in their first Moth event. Belcher did it. Easily. Having only raced against him once, I can see why. He will be a formidable opponent on the course, and given that he’s been racing non-stop for the best part of a decade, I see no reason for him to be out of form. Surely by July he’ll have remembered what a Moth course looks like, and his boat handling mistakes will be ironed out. He’s super light, has the combined Bladerider and KA arsenal at his disposal, and has made all the tweaks like taking a few kilos of paint out of his hull at what would’ve been great expense if it was done commercially. If he wins it will be a surprise, but it wouldn’t surprise me much.
John Harris (AUS)
Not really a newcomer seeing as he’s raced in as many Moth Worlds as I have. But John is much faster and much better prepared this time than he was last year. He obviously can sail, and is blindingly quick when it’s windy. Really light conditions were his downfall at the last regatta, but a few more months of sailing in a Sydney winter has seen that change. He’ll be easily in the top 10.
Andrew Brown (NZL)
The Kiwi component of Bladerider’s global dominance. Andrew competed in the Australian Championships and didn’t do well, but has been putting in the time across the pond, winning the recent NZL Nationals. It looks like he’s done plenty of work on his boat, with a similar paint and weight cleanup to Belcher. Again he’ll be one of the most competitive Bladeriders.
Which brings me to what should be the most competitve…
Bora Gulari (USA)
One of the new breed of semi-pro Mothists, who has put in years worth of sailing in the last 12 months. His handling looks like the best I have seen, if not better. Again, as the US face of Bladerider, he’ll have first dibs on the box of tricks and spares. The same new KA sails as most contenders, the new foam-cored foils, and probably one of the only takers on the pro-model lightweight Bladerider hulls, Bora will be a very serious contender for the win. And that’s what he’s there to do.
So, again the top 10 is filling up rapidly.
Who else to look out for?
Mike Lennon (GBR). Top 14′ sailor from the UK and Hyde sailmaker who’s going fast in his Bladerider.
Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI). Swiss newcomer who from all accounts is handling the new class very well. In a fast boat and with the right handling he’ll be competitive.
Chris Graham (UAE). Dubai’s stream-of-consciousness blogger who can comfortably fack his way around the course. If that’s the case then welcome to the pointy end of the fleet.
Jason Belben (GBR). You can’t really discount the current UK National Champion. He’s light and with known equipment. Wether or not the P4 will cut it remains to be seen. He’ll be up there.
Alex Adams (GBR). Foiltown local. Results in Garda didn’t do him justice. I’m sure he’ll have a few surprises for everyone.
Mike Cooke (GBR). Mr Aardvark. He’s got a long way to climb from his result in Garda, but then he’s been putting plenty into it. Is it enough?
So there’s a bit of a roll-call… and now we’re rapidly running out of space in the top 15.
…
But who knows exactly where everyone will finish. A World Championship always throws up a few surprises. This time around, with so many newcomers, there are a huge amount of unknown unknowns.
What will all the time on the water mean for the pro Moth sailors? What aces does Bladerider have left up it’s sleeve? What will the new CST rigs do? What about the widespread use of the new MSL10B (more than just 5 boats like last time). Have the Prowler Zeros gone far enough to overtake the Bladerider? How will the Velociraptor perform?
Too many questions.
In the end this event will be decided more by boatlengths than minutes. In moderate conditions and flat water the races will be close. Lost seconds will mean lost places. Speed will be everything. Handling will be everything. Weight will be everything. The winner of this Worlds will be a very worthy winner, no matter how close the result might end up being.
But this far out, here’s my wild stab in the dark on the final top 10 placings:
1st - Bora Gulari
2nd - Adam May
3rd - Simon Payne
4th - Mat Belcher
5th - Me
6th - Graham Vials
7th - John Harris
8th - Andrew McDougall
9th - Jason Belben
10th - Mike Lennon
Let’s see how close that is on July 11.
And all of the above isn’t writing off my own chances by any stretch of the imagination. If you haven’t managed to pick up the self-deprecation here in the last 4 years, then you my friend, are an idiot.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
You sure went straight for that nozzle……..
May 14th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Remember that form comes and goes. Class is permanent.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
1st Mat
2nd Simon
3rd Scott (these three could be in any order)
4th Graham
5th Bora
6th AMAC
7th Adam
8th John
9th Jason
10th Andrew
May 14th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
thank you for the complement scott, moth sailors and their form guides….. cant we all just sail???
May 14th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
guess i should tell you that i might have miss the last race….
unless big boat guy helps me get a private plane.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Great job, Scott. That’ll go up on SA tonight.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:14 am
It is a brave man who would rule Doink out of the top ten! Its heating up baby…….DD is ready
Oh and I have it on good authority that Euan has his hands on a boat and will show up before he heads to China. A top 3 for him is not out of the question!
May 15th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I dont see Bora in the top 3. I am sure he dreams about gold but I think 5th is his best hope. Si and Adam will turn the Moth world upside down!
May 15th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Rohan with a roto-moulded plastic Bladerider very interesting. Plastic is better suited to light winds. Rohan you are a foiling King show them how it is done. Carbon or Plastic you will win.
I would like to see a rotating rig and no spedders. Less windage= faster foil= world champion
May 15th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
what is the point of form guides? probably the dumbest thing ever.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Bora, dont let these trash talking turkeys get to you! You will own their asses in July! And you kiwiflya…. putting Bora 5th?? havent you seen the videos man???
May 15th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
plastic is better suited to light winds? WTF are you talking about?
May 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Bora time will tell old boy but you are playing with the big lads now! I doubt you will prove me wrong….
Dont mean to put you off but its a new level gezza.
Form guides are great and you say you don’t care…..”ok one too many tequilas but anyone evens mentions my name in a form guide better not hope for any go fast parts from me”.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
BIG DEAL everyone can tack like that some people just cant help but self promote
May 15th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
USA all the way - videos are great man and Bora will win every race by ten minutes… WOW he is awesome!!!! But then there is Scott who may do the same and oh Simon Payne already a world champion….
May 15th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
You guys have had it too easy with no Americans competing for years. You are about to cop a dose of good ol’ fashion American Whoop Ass.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
yee haa
May 15th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Dave, i think bora is further ahead on his tacks that anyone has ever been, otherwise someone please prove me wrong…
also most top class mothies see YouTube videos from the likes of bora’s and myself as self promotion or showing off (the same was said when i started my moth blog back in 2003, but now it is almost expected for everyone to have one), but i am sure the less experienced mothies probably see these web sites or videos as helpful, interesting, funny or even inspirational. this can only help develop our fleet more.
i would hate to go back to the days when i started moths, and everything was secret and there was no information or videos to learn from. no wonder the class nearly died in 2001!
May 15th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
i should remove the videos
May 15th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Pom bob, Brownie, and dave lister.
dont have to worry about my videos anymore so go figure out how to tack on your own. I took them down, funny to look at the demographics of who watched the videos….
May 16th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Without youtube, I’d still be trying to figure out how to gybe! So put that damn video back online! I still have 1 or 2 things to learn about facking!!! (maybe 3)
I don’t know any of you guys, but the trash talk is pretty cool to watch from outside! Are you all serious?
Good luck to all, and see ya in Japan.
(shit … just failed the 2+2 test)
May 16th, 2008 at 2:13 am
Dave, Bora is only self-promoting because we are forcing him to - if you’ve met him, you know that he’s one of the shyest guys out there.
Mothies should be proud of being sailing’s leaders in public communication on the web. That self-promotion that you so bitchily comment about is one of the main reasons for the class’s unprecedented growth and success over the last couple of years.
Bora, don’t make me re-mix that footage myself - I suck at editing.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:35 am
Cheers for the shout Scott. I might be in the same boat, but I’m not in the same league as you guys…
Roll on Weymouth
May 16th, 2008 at 8:08 am
‘foiling tack ladys’ Doesn`t sound too shy and rohan has already shown us sheelas how to do it a year ago. Sorry to upset u Bora but u need to toughen up as this is an open forum. Some of my comments are tongue in cheek as I like to stir the pot, which is likely to continue. Good luck at the worlds.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Are you sure Dave,
I have NEVER known you to stire the pot.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:36 am
The British lads will do our talking on the water. We don’t need youtube to push our agendas. I think the yanks will get a shock when they hit the water.
May 16th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
“The British lads will do our talking on the water.” - that’s right, while you guys are busy ‘talking’, the aussies will be busy winning!
May 16th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Come on Rohan you are to scared to take on the new lads. Leave your rib at home and get a real boat.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Gui…..Moth sailors are a strange bunch. Enter the class at your own risk
May 16th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
not scared, just unfiit! you never know tho, i am still keen if we have boat spare.
May 16th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Hey Scott awesome to get things moving again!
Bora I know you will do well, NOT cause of the videos USA ALL THE WAY has talked about, or your CNC machine (that could make you worse as you will end up in the shed making cool shit instead going out sailing), but cause your a good yachtie!
I was stirring at USA ALL THE WAY, as there are more countries in the world than the USA (when was the last time you(as in the USA) won the americas cup? Weren’t we all beaten by a country that is landlocked, just a few lakes to sail on), and a video however impressive it is doesn’t mean you have actually won the worlds trophy - though I hear the trophy for best blog in the moth class is bigger than the trophy for Moth world champion… Cool really cause it does save us the expense of turning up to the worlds, since we have stated our top ten already. Though during these cold nights at home in Kiwiville the internet gives me my fix of mothing - internet junkie that I am
Anyway as we know the best prepared, fastest (though not always, cause when your fast you are first the wrong corner) and the most importantly the person who races the best during the week will be the winner!
Another point Pommie Bob, can’t someone have a year off from moth sailing? Is it a crime written into the class rules that it is illegal to put your moth sailing priorities down a peg or two in your life for a year or so as Rohan has done this year - Rohan is good we all know that, and we would all love to test ourselves against him, but shit if he wants a year off then that is alright isn’t it!
Anyway Bora don’t take the videos down that is the most stupid thing ever to do - mate take these tongue in cheek comments on the chin, it is good to have those video’s there for the class to help us all learn a thing or two, especially for all those new sailors like me that are out there trying just to tack and not capsize - but you know by now if you do something good us that suffer from “tall poppy” syndrome will comment and take these comments on the chin and keep those videos up there for the greater good!
Awesome 31 comments in 2 days who is next to rate the top ten and get more trffice to their blog?
May 16th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Whooo girls this is getting a bit nasty.
The worlds would not be the worlds with out the pre-worlds trash talk. I hope no one takes it too seriously.
I hope you do get a boat Rohan, and come and have some fun. If you do not sail then I think it is fair to take time out. However does that mean I can add you to my list. I just need a picture of you in a RIB?
Blogs and Vids = good.
The only reason Dave is not going to the worlds because he would be disqualified for not having a Blog.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Brownie I sail every single day. The main reason I bought the mill is to make molds for foils.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
kiwi have you noticed its called the AMERICAs cup?? we have won it a few times you know. When did NZ last win the World Series?? we can all pick events we are good at. Now i wish all of yu godspeed bt I will be rooting for Bora - and if he I hope he gets a puff of wind at the right time from above well thats ok isnt it? Doug Culnane I see you have just launched a new boat - perhaps you could be sporting and offer your old boat to Rohan so he can take part in the event too - I would love to see Bora beat the best!
May 16th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I hope Rohan sails but there is no Fucking way that I am not sailing my boat. I have spend 3 years in the workshop trying to get a boat that is up to speed and done no sailing. It look like I have done than now and I have a couple of weekends to learn to sail. There is no way I am sitting on the beach and watching someone else sail my boat. However Rohan you can have my old boat….
What is the World Series and who cares? Football is the only truly international sport and how many times has the US won the football world cup? The US only have a chance in the AC because they have the worlds best lawyers.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
allthewaywithusa - Suggest you read up on recent history before slinging mud!
“2000
Team New Zealand beats Team Luna Rossa with a final score of 5-0.
For the first time in 149 years there was neither an American challenger or defender in the America’s Cup.”
May 17th, 2008 at 12:03 am
rohan Says:
“i am sure the less experienced mothies probably see these web sites or videos as helpful, interesting, funny or even inspirational. this can only help develop our fleet more.”
I fully agree. Especially for under-underprivileged folk like me living no where near an established fleet. Please keep the videos coming.
May 26th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Plenty of big boy talk. But at the end of the day its all talk. Poms will win and win well. Bora top 10 yes top 3 no!
May 27th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
what about Glenn Raphael, Dubai’s big white hope??!?!?!?
June 7th, 2008 at 2:33 am
Rollo think ur been smoking too much crack in amsterdam.at 76 kilos ill be hitting up the kings head after day 1.