I've reached the stage, where I am comfortable with having a consistent boat speed, having tacks that are as good as can be at 90% of the time, and gybing 100% of the time. Now how do I move on, how can I make my boat speed even better? How can i notch up a level?
I went out again today in the morning to late afternoon, and at the beginning i was focused on what my target was (foot work during a tack) but once I had it sorted out perfectly and couldn't complain anymore, I jut didn't feel the urge of working at 100% anymore, so I was just cruising around, putting in a few tacks here and there, until I got bored and then I sailed in.
Thought my time would be better spent putting together my new EC6 shrouds, which I did, and no matter how sexy they look, how light they are and how little give they have; there is always one though in the back of my head haunting me: what happens when I do pitchpole? will they slice me up because they are as thin as cheese wire? hmmm hesitant about leaving them untouched, will go out to the electrical shop down the road tomorrow and see if they have any heat shrinkable stuff in stock, which I could sleeve my shrouds with.
Still haven't got round to getting a packer in the main foil that I am using at the moment, but then again, should I really? thing is I am waiting at the moment to get my own foil fixed, as the sika flex has come off once again, and I need to get that fixed asap, probably my number one on the priority list now!
Whilst playing with the thought of what it would be like riding a little bit higher out of the water, I got a little bit hesitant, because I am riding quiet high at the moment on reaches and downwind, so If i go one higher, will I be at a ridiculously high risk of pitchpoling all the time, or can I correct that by adjusting the amount of lift on the rudder?
Had the V8 up again today, great shape and great power throughout any maneuver, so I am really happy with that, and will use it 2 or 3 more times before the worlds and then store it away and go back to my KA 13. Very similar to my EC6 shrouds, not sure if I want to be using them for the whole time before the worlds, or if I want to put them up, train a few times with them and store them away...
ARGHHHH so many more questions! and so little time to find answers!!!!
Anyways, the swiss boats are at customs now, and I go back to school tomorrow, so only sailing in the afternoons unfortunately!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
my ponders...
I have been thinking quiet a lot recently about ways in which I can boost my performance... I think here is my hierarchy at this stage in preparation to the worlds...
1. Technique, getting everything absolutely bang on perfect, the tacks fast and clean, the gybes at 100% success rates and the take offs slick
2. Boat Work, getting the boat in a perfect shape, eliminating absolutely any breakages, this i think will mean doing checklists before and after every sail, replacing every rope as soon as it shows signs of wear and tear, having all the necessary spare parts for the boat, and having a bulletproof boat. (no relation to having special kevlar reinforced wings!)
3 Fitness, going to the gym every night, getting my cardiovascular endurance, core strength and muscular endurance to its peak. My target is to be able to hike full on for 20 minutes, that consists of the equivalent of a race, taking into account that each beat is less than 20 minutes long, but then getting a rest when going downwind.
4. Diet, this ties in directly with my fitness, as the better i eat, the better i will be able to train/exercise and the better I will be able to perform during the week. Another aspect of my diet is it in relation to my weight. At the moment I am in my ideal weight range of 67 - 70 kgs, making light winds and early takeoffs a lot more favorable in the standard dubai conditions that we are expecting in Dubai in early March!
5. Parties, yerr, ermmm, yerr, ermmm... as much as I hate it, they are becoming less likely to be the magic ingredient to doing well at a world championship event! But i do suppose the boom of doom during the worlds will be an exception, and I also here there are some Barasti Beach Parties sponsored by Puma lined up!
6. School, sorry what? that wont be an issue, rumor has it anyway that you don't need a job to be a high rolling Moth World Champion! :P
Whats the agenda for tomorrow? Packers Packers and more Packers in my main foil! need to get my ride height up! it was better yesterday after I put one more in, but ideally could do with at least another! In order to get more lift on the rudder, and send the bow down. That is where I have been struggling recently, having to dial less lift on the rudder and go bow up, in order to have a good ride height where the boat isn't sitting in on every wave!
btw 22 days to go! :O
1. Technique, getting everything absolutely bang on perfect, the tacks fast and clean, the gybes at 100% success rates and the take offs slick
2. Boat Work, getting the boat in a perfect shape, eliminating absolutely any breakages, this i think will mean doing checklists before and after every sail, replacing every rope as soon as it shows signs of wear and tear, having all the necessary spare parts for the boat, and having a bulletproof boat. (no relation to having special kevlar reinforced wings!)
3 Fitness, going to the gym every night, getting my cardiovascular endurance, core strength and muscular endurance to its peak. My target is to be able to hike full on for 20 minutes, that consists of the equivalent of a race, taking into account that each beat is less than 20 minutes long, but then getting a rest when going downwind.
4. Diet, this ties in directly with my fitness, as the better i eat, the better i will be able to train/exercise and the better I will be able to perform during the week. Another aspect of my diet is it in relation to my weight. At the moment I am in my ideal weight range of 67 - 70 kgs, making light winds and early takeoffs a lot more favorable in the standard dubai conditions that we are expecting in Dubai in early March!
5. Parties, yerr, ermmm, yerr, ermmm... as much as I hate it, they are becoming less likely to be the magic ingredient to doing well at a world championship event! But i do suppose the boom of doom during the worlds will be an exception, and I also here there are some Barasti Beach Parties sponsored by Puma lined up!
6. School, sorry what? that wont be an issue, rumor has it anyway that you don't need a job to be a high rolling Moth World Champion! :P
Whats the agenda for tomorrow? Packers Packers and more Packers in my main foil! need to get my ride height up! it was better yesterday after I put one more in, but ideally could do with at least another! In order to get more lift on the rudder, and send the bow down. That is where I have been struggling recently, having to dial less lift on the rudder and go bow up, in order to have a good ride height where the boat isn't sitting in on every wave!
btw 22 days to go! :O
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Boooooom Time
Its been a while since I last blogged so here it goes (if i can still remember how to do it)
Its been really busy the last couple of weeks with all the hype about the worlds coming to town! Alex and I are both right in the middle of our preparations for the event, and have been using every opportunity to get out on the water! However when the wind hasn't been playing along, then we ended up doing hours and hours of boat work, and making everything on our boat bullet proof and sexy for the worlds.
I got my new rig up a couple of days ago, with the North V8 Sail, my Southern Spars Standard Mast, My Southern Spars Boom and my EC6 carbon shrouds, forestay and backstay. It is safe to say that the boat looks really sexy now, with my new Wild Wadi branded sail and hull. Wild Wadi are the only Arabic Themed Water park in the middle East and it is a must for those of you coming over for the worlds to do on the lay day! I can ensure you will be gobsmacked! (http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Wild-Wadi/)
I found that the EC6 shrouds and backstay look really good and are really stiff, however they aren't the most user friendly when doing boat work, as when you walk into them, they leave bruises and cuts on your skin! (note to self; don't walk into EC6 Carbon!)
My new tramps are on, and I have been tightening them on a daily basis in order to get them solid for the worlds. Because you are suppose to soak them before tightening, it has been quiet useful that the sprinklers on the rigging area go off at 5:15 precisely and I can time it to see when I should soak the boat!
Bladerider have been holding back on any media releases lately to what is going on with them, making it extremely hard to get new boat parts when they break! but Gareth did manage to get in touch with them, and is now ordering bulk for all the Moth sailors over here to have spare parts, I requested nearly every single part, because who knows what will happen with Bladerider's Spare Parts availability!
Went out sailing last Sunday in about 20 knots and big seas! My boat did not last it, as my pushrod bent out, and I Had to low ride back in and de-rig as I did not have any spares! Alex came after school finished and we quickly rigged one of the Puma boats and took it for a sail to 'the Island' where there is flat water Ideal for some speed stuff! I had my Speedpuck with me, and it should be interesting to see the results when I play it onto my computer!
Only downside from that training session was on the way in, just before getting to the beach, I decided to send it one last time to get max speed out of the thing, but that didn't end so good for me, probably the worst pitchpole I ever had because I was still stuck in the Toe Straps when my momentum got carried forward and legs bent right round the shrouds! not good! but luckily they weren't the EC6, else wise I don't think I would be blogging now!
Not only have I been training on the water, but I have also cross trained in many other aspects; such as doing running and cycling for some Cardiovascular Endurance, doing the cycling for also muscular endurance (hiking), swimming to get my upper body strength up to scratch, and eating healthy to flush out all the junk food I have recently had! last thin I want is to be sick for the worlds!
Chris and Glenn have got their new Mach 2's up and running, and I must say I am amazed, they have got some great pace and height up wind and from my point of view, will occupy all the top 10 spots!
Which leads me to my form guide...out of the 43 boats entered...
It is in no particular order, but just the top ten!
Simon Savage
Simon Payne
Arnaud Psarofaghis
Bora Gulari
Chris Graham
Glenn Raphael
Amac
Dalton Bergen
Rob Gough
Adam May
Looks like most of the top guns from the Gorge are in there, so it should be a good event, and if anything a big learning step to see what it is like sailing in such a big moth fleet!
This weekend is going to be full program again, not sailing for me today though, I have to film my Media Coursework Trailer on Friday, but then I will be out on the water all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday which will hopefully be an intense training marathon!
See you in Dubai!
Its been really busy the last couple of weeks with all the hype about the worlds coming to town! Alex and I are both right in the middle of our preparations for the event, and have been using every opportunity to get out on the water! However when the wind hasn't been playing along, then we ended up doing hours and hours of boat work, and making everything on our boat bullet proof and sexy for the worlds.
I got my new rig up a couple of days ago, with the North V8 Sail, my Southern Spars Standard Mast, My Southern Spars Boom and my EC6 carbon shrouds, forestay and backstay. It is safe to say that the boat looks really sexy now, with my new Wild Wadi branded sail and hull. Wild Wadi are the only Arabic Themed Water park in the middle East and it is a must for those of you coming over for the worlds to do on the lay day! I can ensure you will be gobsmacked! (http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Wild-Wadi/)
I found that the EC6 shrouds and backstay look really good and are really stiff, however they aren't the most user friendly when doing boat work, as when you walk into them, they leave bruises and cuts on your skin! (note to self; don't walk into EC6 Carbon!)
My new tramps are on, and I have been tightening them on a daily basis in order to get them solid for the worlds. Because you are suppose to soak them before tightening, it has been quiet useful that the sprinklers on the rigging area go off at 5:15 precisely and I can time it to see when I should soak the boat!
Bladerider have been holding back on any media releases lately to what is going on with them, making it extremely hard to get new boat parts when they break! but Gareth did manage to get in touch with them, and is now ordering bulk for all the Moth sailors over here to have spare parts, I requested nearly every single part, because who knows what will happen with Bladerider's Spare Parts availability!
Went out sailing last Sunday in about 20 knots and big seas! My boat did not last it, as my pushrod bent out, and I Had to low ride back in and de-rig as I did not have any spares! Alex came after school finished and we quickly rigged one of the Puma boats and took it for a sail to 'the Island' where there is flat water Ideal for some speed stuff! I had my Speedpuck with me, and it should be interesting to see the results when I play it onto my computer!
Only downside from that training session was on the way in, just before getting to the beach, I decided to send it one last time to get max speed out of the thing, but that didn't end so good for me, probably the worst pitchpole I ever had because I was still stuck in the Toe Straps when my momentum got carried forward and legs bent right round the shrouds! not good! but luckily they weren't the EC6, else wise I don't think I would be blogging now!
Not only have I been training on the water, but I have also cross trained in many other aspects; such as doing running and cycling for some Cardiovascular Endurance, doing the cycling for also muscular endurance (hiking), swimming to get my upper body strength up to scratch, and eating healthy to flush out all the junk food I have recently had! last thin I want is to be sick for the worlds!
Chris and Glenn have got their new Mach 2's up and running, and I must say I am amazed, they have got some great pace and height up wind and from my point of view, will occupy all the top 10 spots!
Which leads me to my form guide...out of the 43 boats entered...
It is in no particular order, but just the top ten!
Simon Savage
Simon Payne
Arnaud Psarofaghis
Bora Gulari
Chris Graham
Glenn Raphael
Amac
Dalton Bergen
Rob Gough
Adam May
Looks like most of the top guns from the Gorge are in there, so it should be a good event, and if anything a big learning step to see what it is like sailing in such a big moth fleet!
This weekend is going to be full program again, not sailing for me today though, I have to film my Media Coursework Trailer on Friday, but then I will be out on the water all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday which will hopefully be an intense training marathon!
See you in Dubai!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Wild Wadi
hmmm, so nothings really going on in my moth sailing that is worth noting...
I am writing this from Iran, and because there is no facebook, youtube or any other decent website available, I thought I would update my blog. It's been some time, but also some time since I have sailed on a regular basis, which is taking direct effect on how good I want to do at the worlds here in March.
However I have hooked up a sponsorship with Wild Wadi, the arabic themed water park in Dubai, who are taking care of my spars and sails needs for my world campaign :)
http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Wild-Wadi/
They are definetly worth checking out during the lay day at the world, and are in spitting distance from the sailing club!!!
I am writing this from Iran, and because there is no facebook, youtube or any other decent website available, I thought I would update my blog. It's been some time, but also some time since I have sailed on a regular basis, which is taking direct effect on how good I want to do at the worlds here in March.
However I have hooked up a sponsorship with Wild Wadi, the arabic themed water park in Dubai, who are taking care of my spars and sails needs for my world campaign :)
http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Wild-Wadi/
They are definetly worth checking out during the lay day at the world, and are in spitting distance from the sailing club!!!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Status Updatus
Just finished off the weekend with not enough wind to go sailing, but despite that effort, there was enough breeze on Friday for us to host our monthly Premier Composites Dubai Moth Grand Prix. Firstly an introduction to Premier Composites. These are the guys in Dubai who specialise in boat work, they are building TP52'S and Farr 11 Kanting Keels at the moment so they know what their talking about. Thy are also the guys who take upon themselves the smaller tasks of fixing our Moths when things don't go to plan, so we are very gratefull for that, and we are proud to have them affiliated with our Moth Grand Prix.
The Friday Race day hosted some mixed conditions, with light winds, dropping off to bare foiling breeze, and then picking up again to comfortable foiling winds. This was more of a test of our persistence and ability to adapt to the wind changes, rather than being consistent, as the results show:
Race Results:
R1 – Chris Graham, Marcel Herrera, Kerstin Sommer, Barnaby Houk, Jonny Marshall, Glenn Raphael, Rob Gough (DNR), Rob Fordyce (DNR)
R2 – Chris Graham, Barnaby Houk, Glenn Raphael, Kerstin Sommer, Jonny Marshall, Rob Fordyce, Rob Gough (DNR), Marcel Herrera (DNR)
R3 – Rob Gough, Marcel Herrera, Chris Graham, Barnaby Houk, Kerstin Sommer, Glenn Raphael (DNR), Jonny Marshall (DNR), Rob Fordyce (DNR)
R4 – Glenn Raphael, Marcel Herrera, Kerstin Sommer, Barney Houk, Rob Fordyce, Chris Graham (DNR), Rob Gough (DNR), Jonny Marshall (DNR)
R5 – Marcel Herrera, Rob Gough, Barnaby Houk, Kerstin Sommer, Glenn Raphael (DNF), Jonny Marshall (DNR), Chris Graham (DNR), Rob Fordyce (DNR)
DNR – Did Not Race
Rob Gough stopped over in Dubai for the event, in order to get some training in and measure himself against us. On the Thursday before he came out with me to get some training in on Chris' boat. We had a quick swap over on the water because he felt that I had some setup issues. After sailing it for a minute or so, and looking at it closely, he realised what the problem was, sent me in to get a spanner, and then fixed it for me. It was to do with my wand set up, and he loosened things off a little bit and now they are all running smoothly.
In the mean time when I was getting the spanner, Rob had stayed out and got some action in with the Official UAE Moth Class Association Photographer, Stuart Gordon. You can check out his album's here: http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartgordon92
by looking under the 'Moth Fly By's' and 'Moth Race' headings. Some Great Shots!
After Rob Had setup up my boat differently, it turned out to feel much lighter sailing through the waves, and it reacted much quicker. Only problem it was bouncing too much, but I suppose I'll get used to that!
I'm really glad Rob came over to sail with us for the weekend, as it turned out I learnt a lot of new tricks with boat setup and sailing tips.
I also have laid down my ideas for equipment selection for the worlds so far, and I think I will settle in and get used to a North V8, with Southern Mast and Southern Rigging.
I have also decided that I will get myself a new rudder foil made with Premier Composites, thats a little bit longer than the standard BR.
Worlds 2010, make sure your there!
The Friday Race day hosted some mixed conditions, with light winds, dropping off to bare foiling breeze, and then picking up again to comfortable foiling winds. This was more of a test of our persistence and ability to adapt to the wind changes, rather than being consistent, as the results show:
Race Results:
R1 – Chris Graham, Marcel Herrera, Kerstin Sommer, Barnaby Houk, Jonny Marshall, Glenn Raphael, Rob Gough (DNR), Rob Fordyce (DNR)
R2 – Chris Graham, Barnaby Houk, Glenn Raphael, Kerstin Sommer, Jonny Marshall, Rob Fordyce, Rob Gough (DNR), Marcel Herrera (DNR)
R3 – Rob Gough, Marcel Herrera, Chris Graham, Barnaby Houk, Kerstin Sommer, Glenn Raphael (DNR), Jonny Marshall (DNR), Rob Fordyce (DNR)
R4 – Glenn Raphael, Marcel Herrera, Kerstin Sommer, Barney Houk, Rob Fordyce, Chris Graham (DNR), Rob Gough (DNR), Jonny Marshall (DNR)
R5 – Marcel Herrera, Rob Gough, Barnaby Houk, Kerstin Sommer, Glenn Raphael (DNF), Jonny Marshall (DNR), Chris Graham (DNR), Rob Fordyce (DNR)
DNR – Did Not Race
Rob Gough stopped over in Dubai for the event, in order to get some training in and measure himself against us. On the Thursday before he came out with me to get some training in on Chris' boat. We had a quick swap over on the water because he felt that I had some setup issues. After sailing it for a minute or so, and looking at it closely, he realised what the problem was, sent me in to get a spanner, and then fixed it for me. It was to do with my wand set up, and he loosened things off a little bit and now they are all running smoothly.
In the mean time when I was getting the spanner, Rob had stayed out and got some action in with the Official UAE Moth Class Association Photographer, Stuart Gordon. You can check out his album's here: http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartgordon92
by looking under the 'Moth Fly By's' and 'Moth Race' headings. Some Great Shots!
After Rob Had setup up my boat differently, it turned out to feel much lighter sailing through the waves, and it reacted much quicker. Only problem it was bouncing too much, but I suppose I'll get used to that!
I'm really glad Rob came over to sail with us for the weekend, as it turned out I learnt a lot of new tricks with boat setup and sailing tips.
I also have laid down my ideas for equipment selection for the worlds so far, and I think I will settle in and get used to a North V8, with Southern Mast and Southern Rigging.
I have also decided that I will get myself a new rudder foil made with Premier Composites, thats a little bit longer than the standard BR.
Worlds 2010, make sure your there!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Dubai Moth Grand Prix
This is what we are all about at the moment, racing on a monthly basis, to see how we stand amongst each other and then also to learn a few racing tips and tricks. It will also help those sailors who would never have competed at such a high level as the Moth Worlds here in March 2010 getting used to a competitive atmosphere and knowing what to do and how to act in regards to rules.
Here is a short promotion video that I threw together yesterday, it will hopefully get out into the public and help us in finding a small sponsor for the Grand Prix series. We are not looking for large amounts of cash, we just want a sponsor who is willing to provide the top 3 overall places and top under 18 with a decent prize at the end of the season, acting as an incentive to keep racing!
If there is anyone out there who is interested, please get in touch with me: marcelsailor@yahoo.com
Here is the newspaper report of the event:
‘Mothing’ the Arabian Gulf
The past weekend has seen one of the most spectacular forms of sailing exhibited in Dubai. Eight sailors from Dubai competed in the newly launched Dubai Moth Grand Prix Series which is to take place once a month from September in the lead up to the World Championships in March. Moth Sailing is at the forefront of modern day racing with each sailor flying about a meter above the water, with the help of modern hydrofoil technology, in boats just over three meters long and reaching speeds in excess of 25 knots.
Saturdays racing took place in close proximity to the Jumeirah Beach Park, where on lookers were amazed by the sheer speed and aesthetics of these nimble boats soaring across the water. “These boats are just phenomenal, ripping across the water today in 12-15 knots of breeze and reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h, it was perfect racing conditions” said Glenn Raphael, President of the UAE Moth Class Association. He added “Short Course Slalom Racing, similar to the professional windsurfing tour is the way to go with this type of sailing, never have we had this many spectators watching a day of racing”. The Beach Park was well visited by “Beach-goers” and truly spread the word about Moth sailing in Dubai.
This was the first ever edition of the Dubai Moth Grand Prix, with seven more events planned throughout the season. Marcel Herrera, a youth Moth sailor representing the UAE, explained the set up for such a race day; “A normal race consists of one mark and a start line. The start line is somewhere close to the beach usually, and the mark is about 400m away, directly into the wind. The boats start at the same time on the start line indicated by a horn and have to race around the mark and back to the start line, the first boat back wins!” He added “But it’s really not as simple as that, you could consider such a race to be like a horse race; a good combination of technique, fitness and tactical thinking is what makes you win”
Round one of the series was won by Brit Chris Graham, who merely took the lead away on a points count back from Aussie Glenn Raphael on equal points, with Marcel Herrera finishing up the podium in third place. The conditions were tough with the heat draining most energy reserves very quickly, but the tough competition was the biggest challenge that Chris Graham had to overcome to take the honours.
Chris Graham, fellow Moth sailor, gave us a heads-up about the class’s ambitions in the future in regards to Moth sailing in Dubai “We are hosting the Moth World Championships at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club in March 2010. To be given the opportunity to host such a prestigious event is a huge privilege on its own, but most of the organisers will be racing themselves, which just adds to the thrill factor.” The local sailors will be joined by about 70 other sailors from over 18 nations, providing the UAE with by far the most exciting sailing event yet.
Contenders will carry their points through to the next round of the Dubai Moth Grand Prix scheduled for the 10th of October, followed by the 14th of November, 5th December, 16th January, 20th February, 27th March and 7th May.
If you are intrigued by this forefront of modern sailing and want to see what it’s all about, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with some of the sailors or come down one afternoon to watch it yourself!
Here is a short promotion video that I threw together yesterday, it will hopefully get out into the public and help us in finding a small sponsor for the Grand Prix series. We are not looking for large amounts of cash, we just want a sponsor who is willing to provide the top 3 overall places and top under 18 with a decent prize at the end of the season, acting as an incentive to keep racing!
If there is anyone out there who is interested, please get in touch with me: marcelsailor@yahoo.com
Here is the newspaper report of the event:
‘Mothing’ the Arabian Gulf
The past weekend has seen one of the most spectacular forms of sailing exhibited in Dubai. Eight sailors from Dubai competed in the newly launched Dubai Moth Grand Prix Series which is to take place once a month from September in the lead up to the World Championships in March. Moth Sailing is at the forefront of modern day racing with each sailor flying about a meter above the water, with the help of modern hydrofoil technology, in boats just over three meters long and reaching speeds in excess of 25 knots.
Saturdays racing took place in close proximity to the Jumeirah Beach Park, where on lookers were amazed by the sheer speed and aesthetics of these nimble boats soaring across the water. “These boats are just phenomenal, ripping across the water today in 12-15 knots of breeze and reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h, it was perfect racing conditions” said Glenn Raphael, President of the UAE Moth Class Association. He added “Short Course Slalom Racing, similar to the professional windsurfing tour is the way to go with this type of sailing, never have we had this many spectators watching a day of racing”. The Beach Park was well visited by “Beach-goers” and truly spread the word about Moth sailing in Dubai.
This was the first ever edition of the Dubai Moth Grand Prix, with seven more events planned throughout the season. Marcel Herrera, a youth Moth sailor representing the UAE, explained the set up for such a race day; “A normal race consists of one mark and a start line. The start line is somewhere close to the beach usually, and the mark is about 400m away, directly into the wind. The boats start at the same time on the start line indicated by a horn and have to race around the mark and back to the start line, the first boat back wins!” He added “But it’s really not as simple as that, you could consider such a race to be like a horse race; a good combination of technique, fitness and tactical thinking is what makes you win”
Round one of the series was won by Brit Chris Graham, who merely took the lead away on a points count back from Aussie Glenn Raphael on equal points, with Marcel Herrera finishing up the podium in third place. The conditions were tough with the heat draining most energy reserves very quickly, but the tough competition was the biggest challenge that Chris Graham had to overcome to take the honours.
Chris Graham, fellow Moth sailor, gave us a heads-up about the class’s ambitions in the future in regards to Moth sailing in Dubai “We are hosting the Moth World Championships at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club in March 2010. To be given the opportunity to host such a prestigious event is a huge privilege on its own, but most of the organisers will be racing themselves, which just adds to the thrill factor.” The local sailors will be joined by about 70 other sailors from over 18 nations, providing the UAE with by far the most exciting sailing event yet.
Contenders will carry their points through to the next round of the Dubai Moth Grand Prix scheduled for the 10th of October, followed by the 14th of November, 5th December, 16th January, 20th February, 27th March and 7th May.
If you are intrigued by this forefront of modern sailing and want to see what it’s all about, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with some of the sailors or come down one afternoon to watch it yourself!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
ice breaker
Seeing the recent akwardness that is going around the Moth blog community, I thought that I would help break the silence and promote getting out of your pram and picking up all your toys to some people. hmm.
Saturday was a testing day for the moths that went out. Me and Max had organised some short course very informal racing, to sort out where everyones gaps in training are when it comes to getting around the course. Some of the points that we picked out:
Alex: tacks were really good, and it showed how much work he has put into it, all he has to do now is have the boat's set up sorted out, and watch out Dave Lister. He was fast around the race course but needs to be consistent with his foiling angles, and over stepping the layline didnt help, because it meant that I could sneak in just ahead of him, and carry my momentum around to give him shit air.
Kerstin: needs to sort out her tacks and gybes, mentally she made all the right decisions, but her tacks and gybes let her down in the long run, especially when the gybe goes wrong and she capsized. As for her starts, she needs more boat speed, just to get off the line with pace, so Low riding is a definet no-no, rather risk having to duck the few boats there are on the start and lose a little ground to windward, than have to low ride until reaching clear air to get on the foils.
Marcus: Put spacers on the vang spinlocks, so that you can actually pull it in all the way and not get that ugly twist at the top that all Moth sailors have become really used to. Manoeuver's were well planned and upwind speed was good, but that vang could have been critical in getting that boat speed, helping the sail go throught the tacks and stop the sail from crashing across on gybes. Speaking of gybes, it would really help both Marcus and Kerstin if they pitched their boats to leward abit before gybing in order to get it to carve its way through the water, and also so that the steering can be quicker to keep the boat speed up and let the battens 'pop' easier. Also change the mainsheet strops configuration to be an upside down V again instead of the A at the moment, this combined with lengthening them a bit more, will mean that the sail is being pulled sideway to sheet in, instead of diagonally up and down, which loses both effectiveness and time, because the boom will never be centreline, and the distance and strength needed to pull the main in block to block is much greater.
That all for today.
Dubai Worlds 2010 will be amazing! so put it in your diary, book the airfare, get your visa, get a shipping quote & BE THERE!
Saturday was a testing day for the moths that went out. Me and Max had organised some short course very informal racing, to sort out where everyones gaps in training are when it comes to getting around the course. Some of the points that we picked out:
Alex: tacks were really good, and it showed how much work he has put into it, all he has to do now is have the boat's set up sorted out, and watch out Dave Lister. He was fast around the race course but needs to be consistent with his foiling angles, and over stepping the layline didnt help, because it meant that I could sneak in just ahead of him, and carry my momentum around to give him shit air.
Kerstin: needs to sort out her tacks and gybes, mentally she made all the right decisions, but her tacks and gybes let her down in the long run, especially when the gybe goes wrong and she capsized. As for her starts, she needs more boat speed, just to get off the line with pace, so Low riding is a definet no-no, rather risk having to duck the few boats there are on the start and lose a little ground to windward, than have to low ride until reaching clear air to get on the foils.
Marcus: Put spacers on the vang spinlocks, so that you can actually pull it in all the way and not get that ugly twist at the top that all Moth sailors have become really used to. Manoeuver's were well planned and upwind speed was good, but that vang could have been critical in getting that boat speed, helping the sail go throught the tacks and stop the sail from crashing across on gybes. Speaking of gybes, it would really help both Marcus and Kerstin if they pitched their boats to leward abit before gybing in order to get it to carve its way through the water, and also so that the steering can be quicker to keep the boat speed up and let the battens 'pop' easier. Also change the mainsheet strops configuration to be an upside down V again instead of the A at the moment, this combined with lengthening them a bit more, will mean that the sail is being pulled sideway to sheet in, instead of diagonally up and down, which loses both effectiveness and time, because the boom will never be centreline, and the distance and strength needed to pull the main in block to block is much greater.
That all for today.
Dubai Worlds 2010 will be amazing! so put it in your diary, book the airfare, get your visa, get a shipping quote & BE THERE!
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