Congratulations Bora!!

The WC is over and a worthy Champ determined. It took a couple of years of deep commitment in time, money, travel, training and learning and was a well deserved win. Some basic skills and instinct must have helped. And he is a pretty decent guy too.

It was also a triumph for the organisers, the sailors who seemed to have a great time and the reporters and publicists who kept the rest of us around the world very well informed.

So what's come out of it so far as seen from the opposite side of the world? (all based on interviews and blogs already posted on IMCA site, event site or SA.

1. The Mach 2 has proven the fastest production moth. Even the skills of Nathan could not bring the BR up to Bora's pace.
2. AMAC is obviously the top moth designer and he seems very content with his latest product. Expect only very subtle development for a while from him.
3. Rohan has implied that a very different Bladerider will be at Dubai next year.
4. Rohan is again working on a promo circuit with about 10 boats travelling the globe for high profile sponsored events.
5. The US has quickly reached strength in the class both in numbers and in quality. This has to be good for the Moth class and can only continue to expand.
6. There were a few significant breakages amonst top contenders.
* Rohan's VRX hull split before the WC but we are advised it was a preproduction version and all subsequent boats coped well. I understand that the other preprod boat which Nathan sailed also broke when it was much newer.
* Scott and maybe 2 others broke Mach2 wings but I do not know if the failures were similaror the causes.
* Scott also broke a CST nano mast which was a bit unfortunate as CST was the major sponsor.
7. WC in 2012 after Dubai and Blemont looks like being Gara again. I will have to go this time.
8. The new Assasin appaeared, but had a tough task in the quality fleet. With new mothies on board and some prototype and test foils they got around mostly mid to back fleet but the testing will undoubtably prove most valuable when they get their new foil molds into production.

It was nice to hear Bora acknowledge all his helpers, parents, Bear, Clean, AMAC, etc but also Dave Lister who he accepted as the fastest man downwind at Geelong. Its good to know that we midfleeters still have a high standard to aim at in our St George club races for the season about to kick off.

Big Wind WC

The US Gorge worlds are past half way and its been mostly big winds and fast sailing. Its starting to take a toll on the boats so before the damage makes too much impact on he score sheet here is a little analysis.
At least the Australians are putting on a good show.
It appears the top two in Bora and Nathan have a slight edge, winning most of the races. The next bunch of five (Arnaud, Dalton Bergan, Simon, Rohan and Scott) also seem to have a speed edge on the rest. Thats 5 M2 and two BR VRX all new since Geelong, but including a similar cast of top sailors.
The similarity at the top between the Gorge fleet and the Geelong fleet should be expected. Because at Geelong we not only had the best AUS mothies but also Bora, Simon, Arnaud and other OS visitors.
In fact the top 9 from day 3 at the Gorge include 6 of the top 11 from Geelong. Mark Robbo was in that 11 as well but is back at 13 so far at the Gorge. Of course Rohan and AMAC skipped Geelong but are also putting on a good show, lying 6th and 10th. No wonder people commented that Geelong was like a mini WC.
The breakage rate is unfortunate. I thought we had some big winds at Geelong but maybe the water was flatter. Regardless there was only one DNF/DNC in the top 10 from 10 races while already there are 5 from the Gorge also from 10 races. Maybe the new boats are still a bit tender but I am sure the lessons learned here will make them better.
What is very good is the big numbers of US sailors who have taken to moths and also the high standards they have brought with them. Its like the elete of US dinghy racing. I hope they stay with us and make the trip to Belmont in 2011.
Its been great to wake up each morning, log on and get instant results, video clips and comments from the site. Extremely well done to all concerned, I hope we can do as well at Belmont.
We will at least have a great viewing platform for the spectators, The top deck at B16s is very welcoming.
Its going to be an interesting last two days. Nathan and Bora are close and seemingly clear of the field. Nathan has a good record at the end of regattas but Bora seems to have a slight speed edge downwind at times.
They all do at least seem to be having a good time and the reports of all digging in to help repair boats and supply spares indicates that the traditional Moth class culture remains at this high level and between people of many countries. Great to see.
Thanks for the show guys and good luck for the remainder of the regatta, enjoy it.