Aussie leads US Moth Nationals

2:26 AM Fri 7 Aug 2009 GMT

'Start Race 1 - US Moth Nationals 2009' ThMartinez / Sea & Co &copy

Dual World 49er Champion Australian Nathan Outteridge leads the North American Moth titles.

He and fellow Australian Rohan Veal each won two races on the first day of the US Moth Nationals, being held before the 2009 Moth Worlds in Cascade Locks, Oregan USA.

Gusty conditions as expected on the Gorge today, with winds peaking at 29 knots during the second race.

There were four races today and Nathan Outteridge finished 1st, 5th, 1st and 3rd.

Always a master of understatement Outteridge commented a few minutes ago with a mouth full of pizza 'I am finally starting to find speed after not sailing a Moth for a month or two. Happy with the results today, but looking forward to tomorrow.'

Rohan Veal, foiling Moth guru and double World Champion bombed in race one but then took turns (with Outteridge) to get the gun - DNF, 1st, 2nd and 1st.

Veal commented 'Very happy with our boat speed and results today thanks to a lot of development that has gone into our North Sails and a simple but very effective Bladerider foil setup. However I can see that there is still plenty of room for improvement. I think the best is yet to come from Nathan and myself though!'

US Laser sailor Brad Funk is another 'cross-class' Moth convert. He scored a third place behind the two Australians in the windy second fleet.

More news as it comes to hand.

Thierry Martinez took these images from the day's racing. Visit the website ThMartinez/Sea&Co - www.thmartinez.com to see more.