The final day of the Enliven International Moth UK National Championships unfortunately dawned with similarly gusty winds to the previous two days of the competition. A notable difference however was the fact that gusts were now topping out at 42 knots in the Blackwater Estuary rather than the ‘meagre’ 30 or so of the previous two days. A lone Phantom and several Squibs launched for club racing and given that they appeared to be going ‘pretty damn quick’ it was deemed prudent not to send out crash test dummies in Moths as per the previous day. Following over an hour of waiting ashore with the wind increasing and the cut-off for racing looming the final day was reluctantly cancelled by the Race Committee.
Adding to his 2011 European Championship win Chris Rashley claimed a well-deserved 2012 National Championship crown closely chased by class Stalwart Simon Payne. Recovering from the light wind first day of the competition Peter Barton also put in a solid performance to achieve a convincing third ahead of local hero Gareth Davies and Bristol Moth builder Mike Cooke. Simon Hiscocks sailing his first Nationals in the Moth won the prestigious newcomer trophy, with Neil Baker in his Velociraptor claiming the trophy for the first foiler over three years old. First lady was Claire Gavigniaux with Veteran Colin Newman not far behind proving that age is no barrier to moth sailing.
The race committee at Stone as well as the other volunteers from the club did a fantastic job at staging races in challenging conditions and also organising an event to remember onshore (for those that dodged the Jaegermeister anyway). Special mention also has to go to our European compatriots travelling from France, Sweden, Benelux and Switzerland who were on good form despite the weather, Enliven our title sponsor, and prize sponsors Marlow Ropes and Harken.
The next major event for the UK Class will be the World Championships on Lake Garda in August. With 3 different manufacturers in the top 5 and so many British sailors displaying strong form this looks set to be the most exciting worlds in recent memory.
Overall Results Here
Photo Gallery by Nick Champion Here