A big year ahead for the International Moth Class
by IMCA UK 20 Jan 2022 20:41 NZDT
Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals day 3 © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK
This year is shaping as a strong one for the UK Moth fleet with a calendar full of events both at home and internationally as we build towards our home in Worlds in Weymouth, 2023.
Starting off with a one-day event at Oxford Sailing Club, we have a good balance of inland and open water venues, with the UK Nationals being held exactly one year out at the WPNSA venue. We have an Inland Nationals at Grafham, a series of Grand Prix two-day events, a few one-day races, a European Championship in France and an open on Poole Harbour for anyone not heading to the Worlds in Argentina. There really is something for everyone.
As expected, there is plenty of work happening both on and off the water with a number of skippers across the fleet stepping into new or improved equipment and others busy working away in the shed to get more from what they have. Milder than average winter temperatures have allowed keen skippers getting valuable time on the water on the south coast, notably in Portland Harbour.
On the design front, there looks to be a good mix across the fleet with the Bieker design, fresh from last year's World's podium sweep set for some UK hands. The UK built Exocet, Thinair and Rocket designs will again be out in numbers, as well as a number of Mach 2's, home builds and older upgraded designs. Keen eyes will also be focussed on the new designs of Aerocet (Maguire Boats), Maverick (Fluid Composites and Exploder (Ovington Boats) that are all going through their respective phases of R&D prior to production being offered or locked in.
There will again be plenty of competition at the top of the fleet led by the likes of Fletcher, Hiscocks, McMillan, Hivey, Bridle, Adams, Belben, Ward, Lennon, Stoneham, Gray and Gliddon. Right through the fleet competition is expected to be strong as skippers look to either get in amongst the top group or take a step up on previous performances.
This year the class is again putting on three training weekends covering all standards, making the Moth class as easy as ever to get into and master. Given the high quality of various used boats currently available, now is the time to jump in and join the class that tests and rewards skippers like no other.
UK Moth Season Calendar 2022:
March 12 - Oxford Sailing Club
March 26 - 27 Queen Mary Sailing Club GP
April 23 - 24 Grafham Water Sailing Club UK Inland Championship
May 14 - 15 Stokes Bay Sailing Club GP
June 9 - 12 UK National Championship WPNSA
June/July Eastbourne Sailing Club 1 day event date TBA
June 30 - July 3 Foiling Week Lake Garda Italy
July 23 - 30 European Championship Quiberon France
September 24 - 25 WPNSA GP
October 15 - 16 Parkstone Yacht Club
November 21 - 27 World Championship Yacht Club Argentino
Training Events 2022:
March 19 - 20 Queen Mary Sailing Club
April 30 - 1 May Grafham Water Sailing Club
June 2 - 3 WPNSA (Thursday/Friday event)
For all UK Moth class information please join the Facebook group or visit the class website at www.internationalmoth.co.uk