Moth Worlds - Where are they going next year?

'CST Composites 2008 Moth World Championships' Th Martinez &copy

After the fourth straight day of gale force winds the International Moth class sat down to decide where to go next year - The Gorge, Portland USA won the vote. In 2010 it will be Dubai, UAE and then 2011 Lake Macquarie in Australia. With just two days left, the class will race all 100 boats in one fleet in the remaining races in order to get a championship result.

The fourth day of the CST Composites 2008 Moth World Championships has been cancelled due to too much wind with gusts over 30 knots continuing.

However, the sailors spirits were lifted late yesterday afternoon when the event organisers allowed them out into Portland Harbour for a 'Speed Challenge'. Each boat was given a Velocitek to record their fastest 10 second average in over 25 knots of breeze.

Arnaud Psarofaghis of Switzerland came away with the impressive 10 second average speed of 26.1 knots; James Owen-Smith (AUS) came in second with 25.9 knots and Martin Gravare (SWE) third with 25.4 knots. The photos attached tell the story of a fun afternoon had by all.

CST Composites 2008 Moth World Championships - Th Martinez &copy

The big news for today was the four hour International Moth Class Association Annual General Meeting. Class President Mark Robinson is delighted by the unprecedented interest coming from all corners of the globe.

With 18 nations represented at the CST Composites 2008 Moth World Championships, and a raft of fabulous proposals to host future events coming from various countries, the room took the time to vote on which options would be in the best interest for the growth of the Moth Class.

The next three year's Moth World Championships were confirmed at this meeting, as follows:

* 2009 Moth World Championships will be held in The Gorge, Portland USA from 5th to 14th August 2009.

* 2010 Moth World Championships will be held in Dubai, UAE in April 2010.

* 2011 Moth World Championships will be held on Lake Macquarie, Australia in January 2011.

Further, the 2009 European Championships will be held in Kiel, Germany in June next year.

The WPSA Race Committee have amended the 2008 Championship sailing instructions to allow racing tomorrow to commence as one fleet. This will make for some spectacular sailing with almost 100 boats lining up on the start line.

The forecast for tomorrow's weather is for kinder conditions of under 20 knots, so they are aiming for at least four races tomorrow, and as many as possible on Friday, the last day of the event.