I thought it was about time to catch up and write a quick mid season state of the Nation address…
The season has started well with turn outs up on last year for the first 3 Grand Prix series events – to view the series please go to the UK website and click on the big red button! So, congratulations to fleet newcomer Chris Rashley on winning the Inland Nationals and first GP event of 2011. Normal service was resumed with Simon Payne taking round 2 at Parkstone with perhaps the most original first prize I have seen – a real diamond! Thanks to Rod Harris and event sponsor; Why Jewellers.
The class thanks all our sponsors this year and this level of sponsorship is down to the efforts of Simon Reynolds. A list of our sponsors is below so please support them when you can! As well as taking financial pressure of the class sponsors also add an extra dimension to promoting the Moth. The sponsor needs to get value from the link which in turn promotes our class making it look a more exciting place to be (as if it isn’t exciting enough!). In delivering this value to sponsors it is also important that we don’t become a slave to our sponsors and I believe we have a really good balance.
Sponsors
Zhik
Slam
Harken
SP Systems
Ronstan
Marlow
Torqu Nutrition
Blueteq
Hyde sails
Hayling Island has just been and gone and whilst delivering some very close racing it always seemed that Simon was in the right place at the finish and so took the Slam sponsored round 3 of the GP Series.
So with 3 down and Simon Payne with two wins – he is starting to run away with things. Who will stop him?
Next up and round 4 of the GP Series is a new venue for the Moth Circuit, Thorpe Bay, which is another Slam supported event. This is part of the Southend regatta weekend and with free entry and free camping this makes it a must do event. Thorpe Bay YC is famous for its lively social events, so younger members of the fleet should enjoy Essex – its reputation is not without reason! Also the tidal nature and sea state should make it great practice for the National Championships at Stokes Bay. Most of the “regulars” are already signed up so it’s promising to be a good form guide for the Nationals starting 2 weeks later. As if you need more reasons to go to Thorpe Bay, it’s the Regatta weekend so we can show boat in front of the water pushers and hopefully get some new recruits.
And then we have the Nationals which if the weather gods play ball are shaping up to be outstanding and competitors will be well catered for. We have free beer at the post race seminars which are kicked off by Andy Rice. A Hog Roast evening (included in entry), pasta available after sailing each day as well as breakfast (charges apply) will ensure you are well fed too. Free camping on the field next to the club is available so you can sleep with your boat! On top of all that there will loads of prizes so whether you win or finish elsewhere you are in with a shout! The emphasis of this event is to learn and have fun as well as for the regulars looking to win.
Please come along even if you don’t feel up to it yet and even if it is only for the odd day (day only fees apply). It’s a great chance to chat to and watch some of the best Moth sailors in the world do their stuff and they will be only to pleased to help you, in fact getting them to shut up is more difficult ! So bring your boat and have a go and in the unlikely event that you don’t like the look of it, i.e. the weather, just sit it out …No pressure, just lots of fun and a great chance to quickly improve your Moth sailing and meet your fellow enthusiasts.
Although the serious stuff starts on Thursday 7th July we are holding a Slalom event on Registration day – Wednesday the 7th. The event is supported by Ronstan and is simply a series of very short downwind only races around several buoys. This is real “crash and burn” stuff and a bit of fun to get warmed up for the main event. Kick off will be around 2.30 pm and the format will be published shortly.
And on that fun note, later in the season we have a non GP open again at Parkstone. This is part of Poole week but the Moths get special treatment (I guess Rod has more influence than you would think possible looking at him 😉 Again please press the big red button on the website for dates and there should be a link to Rod’s email for details under events 2011. This event is less about the winning and more about the taking part and again a great chance to get idea’s and tips. Poole Harbour is a great place to sail Moths – glassy flat water even in strong wind and a nice safe setting being virtually land locked.
For those not doing the Euro’s I would also like to plug Fed Week at Hayling – I haven’t missed one in 7 years and there is usually a small group of local Moths doing it so please come and join us – One race a day at high water. Chilled out !
This message seems to have turned into a series of plugs so I should also mention the Scottish Nationals at Dalgety Bay. This is also a GP event and whilst not a Scottish bank holiday it is an English one so those visiting can use the Monday to do something else which I’m told goes down well with wags or habs.
A recent addition to the program is Paignton Regatta in September, this is a new GP series event and as such will count to the overall positions. At the moment we are slated to launch from Paignton but this may switch to Torquay if the conditions on the beach are not favourable, all will be clear closer to the event.
And lastly I would like to mention the unfashionable and often ignored class AGM to be held during the Nationals at Stokes bay SC ( see NOR for date ). This is your class and should be run according the wishes of the members, so please come along and have your say – what can we do better, what needs changing and where shall we go for our championships and open meetings? Do we have to many meetings or not enough, how can we increase participation and should we attend the dinghy show next year ? On top of that we would love to see some fresh members on the committee, don’t be shy!
Good sailing and see you all soon.
Mike Lennon.
IMCA UK Class President.