The moths are loose on Lake Garda
After the America's Cup, the moth world championship on Lake Garda is the event of the year for many sailors. More than 200 participants make the world championships a sailing sport spectacle. The only small flaw of the super regatta is its timing: It takes place almost at the same time as the European Championship of the three fastest Olympic disciplines (Nacr17, 49er, 49erFX) in Kiel. Quite a few top performers would have liked to take part in both regattas.
Artemis helmsman Nathan Outteridge is back in the moth
From the America's Cup back on the moth: Oracle tactician Tom Slingsby
Nevertheless, the fleet on Lake Garda is peppered with stars: America's Cup winner Peter Burling is at the start as well as his long-term rival and Artemis helmsman Nathan Outteridge. Both have already won world titles in the "flying" moth. BMW Oracle Racing tactician Tom Slingsby (Australia) finished the qualification, which was shortened due to low winds, on Thursday in second behind the British Olympic laser champion and defending champion Paul Goodison. With Robert Greenhalgh (Great Britain) and the Australian 49er Olympic champion Iain Jensen, two more "heavyweights" in the moth class were in third and fourth place after the four qualifying races. High-flyer Peter Burling first had to line up in 15th place, Outteridge even in 35th place.
Aerial photos of the moths at their world championship on Lake Garda
Traveled to Lake Garda straight from the America's Cup and the subsequent celebrations in New Zealand: Cup dominator Peter Burling
Burling also practiced moth capsizing on Lake Garda
The best German sailors after four races were Fabian Gielen from the Lindauer Segel-Club (36th), ahead of Jacob Clasen (RVE, 68th) and Andreas John (Blankeneser Segel-Club) in 74th place. Gielen and Clasen were the best German moth helmsmen Laser Vice World Champion Philipp Buhl had guessed beforehand and was right on the first two days of the race. The Olympic sailor is at the start of a moth regatta for the first time and has chosen this field straight away. With 93rd place, the Sonthofener from the Alpsee Immenstadt sailing club was able to immediately place himself in the front half of the fleet. But because he got some material too late and had to struggle technically, "only now after four races have I reached the level that I actually wanted to have before the World Cup". The newly defined goal is a top ten placement in the silver fleet. Together, the German laser group wants to absorb as much knowledge as possible at the World Cup and pass it on at home. "Tom Slingsby says that moth sailing is definitely a good investment in the future of foiling," says Buhl, who "has a lot of fun dealing with the little speedsters". And that although "today it hammered me backwards on the surface of the water a dozen times at a speed of 25 knots".
How fast it can catapult a sailor out of the motto …
A look at the list of results reveals how great the attraction of this technically oriented class with its various foils is not only for the young "foiling generation". Star boot ace and Oracle coach Philipp Presti is also on duty, as is America's Cup helmsman Seb Col from France. The World Cup ends on June 30th with the finals and the award ceremony. If you want to experience the moth spectacle in Germany as well, you are in the right place at the Immac Moth German Open on Lake Wittensee from August 18th to 20th.
You can find the results here
The duel scene between Laser Olympic Champion Goodison and 49er Olympic Champion Outteridge shows how important boat speed and the right foils are for success in the moth class